UNIVERSITY  OF 
^CALIFORNIA 


REPORT 


ON    THE 


GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 


BY 


CHARLES    UP  HAM    SHE  PA  111),    M.D. 


PUBLISHED    UNDER   THE    DIRECTION    OF   HIS   EXCELLENCY, 


HENRY  W.  EDWARDS,  GOVERNOR  OF  THE  STATE. 


NEW  HAVEN : 

PRINTED    BY   B.    L.    IIAMLEN. 

1837. 


EARTH 
SCIENCES 


Mslract  from  the  Annual  Message  for  1835,  of  Gov.  EDWARDS, 
relating  to  a  Geological  Survey  of  the  State. 

"  The  mineralogical  treasures  which  have  been  developed  within  a  few  years 
and  which  are  constantly  coming  to  light  in  different  parts  of  our  country,  give  us 
reason  to  believe,  that  we  have  not  as  yet  availed  ourselves  to  the  extent  that  we 
might  of  this  source  of  wealth,  and  suggests  the  expediency  of  a  more  systematic 
examination  than  has  hitherto  taken  place.  In  some  instances  this  has  been  done 
under  the  public  patronage,  and  by  public  authority.  An  examination  of  the  kind 
in  our  State,  might  lead  to  some  important  discoveries.  An  accurate  and  thorough 
geological  and  mineralogical  survey  by  scientific  men,  if  it  should  not  result  in 
any  immediate  discoveries  of  moment,  would  at  least  have  the  effect  of  aiding  indi- 
viduals in  their  future  researches  on  their  own  lands.  Much  labor  has  been  ex- 
pended, and  money  wasted,  in  the  search  after  metals  and  minerals,  which  a  know- 
ledge of  those  substances  and  the  relative  position  they  uniformly  occupy,  would 
have  shown  to  be  useless. 

"The  geological  character  of  a  country  indicates  its  topographical  features;  and  a 
geological  map  would  serve  as  a  guide,  in  the  examination  and  selection  of  routes 
for  rail-roads  and  canals,  and  internal  improvements  of  every  kind,  the  location  of 
which  depends  on  the  topical  features  of  the  country  through  which  they  pass.  A 
survey  of  the  kind  referred  to,  would  furnish  every  individual  with  such  infor- 
mation respecting  his  possessions,  as  would  guard  him  against  the  wiles  of  prowl- 
ing speculators.  Much  labor  has  been  bestowed  on  this  subject,  and  much  infor- 
mation collected  by  individuals  in  different  sections  of  the  State,  and  it  is  import- 
ant, that  this  information  should  be  embodied  and  preserved ;  the  expense  would 
be  trifling,  and  bear  but  a  very  small  proportion  to  the  benefits  which  may  be  de- 
rived from  it.  This  is  a  subject  in  which  the  whole  community  has  a  deep  interest, 
and  it  is  recommended  that  immediate  measures  be  taken  for  its  accomplishment. 
Similar  surveys  have  been  already  had  in  some  of  the  states ;  and  the  attention  of 
others  is  turned  to  the  subject.  Let  us  not  be  deficient  on  our  part;  we  have  here- 
tofore furnished,  and  we  can  still  furnish,  our  full  quota  to  those  economical  and 
scientific  researches  which  seem  to  be  the  order  of  the  day." 

Action  of  the  Legislature  on  the  above  recommendation. 

**  Resolved,  That  the  Governor  be  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee of  suitable  persons  to  make  a  geological  survey  of  the  state  of  Connecticut, 
and  to  report  the  same  to  the  General  Assembly  at  their  May  Session  of  1836. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  property  of  such  survey  shall  be  in  and  belong  to  the  State, 
and  shall  be  disposed  of  as  the  General  Assembly  may  direct." 


34C977 


Abstract  from  the  appointment  of  the  surveyors  by  the  Governor. 

"  HENRY  W.  EDWARDS,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  to  JAMES 
GATES  PERCIVAL  and  CHARLES  UPHAM  SHEPARD, — greeting:  Pursuant  to 
resolves  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  at  Hartford,  in  May, 
1835,  I  do  appoint  you,  said  PERCIVAL  and  SHEPARD,  a  committee  to  make  and 
complete  the  survey  and  report  in  said  resolves,  to  perform  the  duties  thereof,  and 
obey  the  instructions  from  time  to  time  received  from  the  proper  authority. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  and  official  seal  at  New  Haven,  this  15th  day  of  June, 
A.  D.  1835.  HENRY  W.  EDWARDS." 

The  Legislature  of  1836  accepted  the  reports  of  the  commissioners,  and  author- 
ized the  continuation  of  the  survey  for  another  year;  but  recommended  a  postpone- 
ment of  publication  until  the  necessary  researches  were  completed. 

The  economical  and  ruineralogical  report  was  submitted  to  the  Legislature  of 
1837,  and  gave  rise  to  the  following 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Geological  Survey. 

"  The  joint  committee  on  the  Geological  and  Mineralogical  Survey  of  the  State,  to 
whom  was  referred  the  Special  Message  of  the  Governor  and  the  accompanying 
papers  relating  to  the  mineralogical  department  of  said  survey,  having  had  the 
same  under  their  consideration,  REPORT, 

"  That  Prof.  SHEPARD  has  brought  his  examination  into  the  mineralogy  of  the 
State  to  a  close,  and  the  results  of  his  labors  have  been  before  us  in  a  highly  inter- 
esting and  valuable  Report.  This  Report,  embracing  the  statistics  of  all  our  present 
mineral  resources,  the  condition  of  our  mines,  quarries  and  diggings  of  every  de- 
scription, and  suggestions  as  to  the  most  profitable  manner  of  working  them  both  to 
the  proprietors  and  the  public,  all  of  which  are  capable  of  immediate  application, — 
your  committee  recommend  should  be  immediately  published.  This  Report  will 
attract  public  attention  to  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  State,  which  is  shown  to  be 
most  abundant,  and  only  stands  in  need  of  capital  and  enterprise  to  be  profitably 
developed.  It  will  apprise  landed  proprietors  of  resources,  of  which  in  many  in- 
stances they  are  now  ignorant ;  and  in  others  will  afford  them  information  how  to 
turn  to  increased  account  such  as  they  already  know  to  exist.  It  teaches  what 
things  may  be  expected  in  certain  districts  of  the  State,  points  out  the  mode  of 
searching  for  them  and  the  way  to  identify  them  when  found. 

"  Another  consideration  which  should  determine  its  immediate  publication  is,  that 
it  may  receive  the  supervision  of  Prof.  SHEPARD  while  passing  through  the  press . 
a  supervision  altogether  necessary  from  the  nature  of  the  subjects  treated  of,  and 
which  it  may  not  be  in  his  power  to  extend  after  this  summer.  For  this  reason  too, 
your  committee  recommend  its  being  published  at  New  Haven,  where  Prof. 
SHEPARD  resides,  and  where  publishers  are  more  accustomed  to  this  kind  of  work 
than  elsewhere  in  the  State. 

"  The  document  will  constitute  an  8vo.  volume,  or  pamphlet,  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  pages;  and  if  published  in  the  style  in  which  these  surveys  are  done  in  other 
states,  will  cost  about  twenty-five  cents  a  copy.  Your  committee,  therefore,  re- 
commend an  appropriation  of  a  sum  of  money  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars, 


or  such  less  sum  as  his  Excellency  the  Governor  may  contract  for,  for  the  publica- 
tion of  two  thousand  copies.  That  of  this  number,  the  Governor  be  authorized  to 
distribute  copies  in  the  following  manner: — 

"  Two  copies  to  the  library  of  Congress ;  two  copies  to  the  Governor  of  every  state 
in  the  Union ;  two  copies  to  the  library  of  Yale  College,  of  Washington  College,  and 
of  the  Wesleyan  University  of  this  S-tate, — and  to  each  of  the  State  Officers ;  one 
copy  to  each  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court ;  one  copy  to  each  of  the  Judges 
of  the  County  Court  and  to  each  Probate  Judge  of  this  State,  who  are  not  members 
of  this  Legislature  ;  one  copy  to  each  member  of  the  two  Houses  of  the  present 
Legislature;  one  copy  to  the  town  clerk  of  every  town  in  the  State;  fifty  copies  to 
remain  at  the  disposal  of  Prof.  SHEPARD,  and  the  same  number  at  the  disposal  of 
his  Excellency,  the  Governor. 

"  And  the  Governor  is  further  authorized  to  furnish  any  bookseller  such  number  of 
copies,  to  be  disposed  of  on  such  terms  as  his  Excellency  may  deem  proper,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  State. 

"  The  disposition  of  this  Report  which  your  committee  have  recommended,  in  case 
it  should  be  published,  will  only  reach  about  one  half  the  number  proposed  to  be 
printed  ;  and  will  leave  one  thousand  copies  to  be  taken  up  by  private  sale,  or  dis- 
posed of  by  the  next  General  Assembly. 

"  With  these  considerations,  your  Committee  would  respectfully  recommend  the 
adoption  of  the  accompanying  resolution.  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

JAMES  BEEBE,  Chairman." 

. 

The  above  report  was  accepted  and  the  resolution  passed  relative  to  the  publica- 
tion of  the  same. 

"  Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  two  thousand  copies  of  Prof.  SHEPARD'S  Re- 
port on  the  Mineralogy  of  the  State  be  published  under  the  superintendence  of  the 
author,  and  that  a  sum  of  money  not  exceeding  five  hundred  dollars  be  appropriated 
to  defray  the  expenses, — and  that  the  Comptroller  of  public  accounts  is  hereby  au- 
thorized to  draw  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  for  such  sum,  not  exceeding  five  hun- 
dred dollars,  to  be  paid  out  of  any  money  not  otherwise  appropriated, — and  his  Ex- 
cellency, the  Governor,  is  hereby  appointed  Commissioner  to  see  the  object  of  this 
resolution  effected." 


REPORT. 


TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY 

GOVERNOR    HENRY    W.    EDWARDS. 

SIR, 

I  HAVE  the  honor,  herewith  to  submit  to  your  Excellency  the  re- 
port I  was  commissioned  to  make  relative  to  the  geological  survey 
of  the  State.  In  accordance  with  my  instructions,  I  have  chiefly 
confined  my  attention  to  mineralogy,  leaving  to  my  colleague,  Dr. 
PERCIVAL,  the  department  of  geology  proper,  excepting  so  far  as 
relates  to  the  economical  applications  of  that  science,  and  the  col- 
lection of  a  suite  of  specimens  to  illustrate  the  leading  formations  of 
the  State. 

The  time  allotted  to  the  duty  has  been  inadequate  to  a  com- 
plete execution  of  the  task.  For  although  the  area  of  the  State  is 
small,  yet  the  proportion  of  rocky  surface  to  be  examined  is  large. 
Under  these  circumstances  I  can  but  congratulate  myself,  that  this 
report  is  less  imperfect  than  it  would  have  been,  but  for  the  many 
materials  already  accumulated  by  several  individuals  previous  to  the 
commencement  of  the  undertaking,  and  which  were  chiefly  to  be 
found  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts.  To  no  indi- 
vidual is  his  native  State  so  deeply  indebted  as  to  the  well  known 
Editor  of  the  above  named  journal,  for  the  disinterested  services  he 
has  rendered  with  a  view  to  develop  her  mineral  resources,  and  for 
the  public  spirit  with  which  he  has  labored  to  convince  the  commu- 
nity of  the  important  practical  bearings  of  geology  and  mineralogy. 
The  late  Col.  GEORGE  GIBBS  was  likewise  an  early  and  a  success- 
ful observer  of  the  mineralogy  of  this  State.  Prof.  HITCHCOCK  of 
Amherst,  and  Lieut.  MATHER  of  Albany,  have  each  contributed  val- 
uable observations.  Other  individuals  whose  services  deserve  com- 
memoration are,  Dr.  WEBSTER  of  Cambridge,  the  late  Prof.  BOWEN 


8 

of  Nashville,  Mr.  J.  P.  BRACE  and  ALFRED  SMITH,  Esq.  of  Hart- 
ford, and  Dr.  PERCIVAL.  During  the  progress  of  the  survey  also, 
I  have  been  favored  with  many  useful  hints  from  numerous  cultiva- 
tors of  mineralogical  science  residing  in  different  parts  of  the  State  ; 
among  whom  I  am  bound  to  mention,  Col.  CHARLES  GRISWOLD  of 
Lyme,  Dr.  HUDSON  of  Torrington,  Mr.  BOYD  of  Winsted  and 
Judge  SMITH  of  Woodbury.  In  addition  to  the  materials  thus  de- 
rived, I  may  perhaps  be  permitted  to  observe,  that  I  have  incorpo- 
rated with  this  report  no  inconsiderable  number  of  facts  collected  by 
myself,  during  many  excursions  through  the  State  previous  to  my 
appointment  by  your  Excellency.  But  notwithstanding  all  the  aids 
and  opportunities  I  have  enjoyed,  justice  to  the  resources  of  the 
State  obliges  me  to  remark,  that  1  am  far  from  entertaining  the  opin- 
ion that  her  mineral  wealth  is  yet  fairly  laid  open  to  view.  On  the 
contrary,  a  glance  only  has  been  obtained,  but  enough  it  is  believed, 
to  awaken  fresh  zeal  and  confidence  in  relation  to  what  remains 
concealed. 

The  opinion  which  has  until  recently  prevailed  respecting  the  me- 
tallic treasures  of  Connecticut  was  certainly  erroneous.  Her  iron 
mines  have  often  been  represented  as  fast  tending  to  exhaustion,  and 
her  iron  manufacture  as  being  attended  with  little  advantage.  One 
of  these  mines  however,  has  long  yielded  its  proprietors  a  clear  an- 
nual profit  of  about  five  thousand  dollars ;  while  many  handsome 
fortunes  have  been  realized  from  the  iron  business  in  that  section  of 
the  State.  Instead  of  a  failure  in  the  supply  of  ore,  it  may  confi- 
dently be  asserted,  that  not  one  half  of  the  workable  beds  in  that 
district  are  as  yet  fairly  uncovered ;  while  it  is  equally  true,  that  as 
soon  as  proper  economy  in  the  burning  of  charcoal  and  the  radical 
improvement  of  the  hot  air-blast  are  introduced,  cast  iron  will  be 
afforded  at  one  half  its  present  cost,  and  this  without  any  diminution 
of  profit  to  the  manufacturer.  An  iron  resource  also,  of  great  value, 
in  the  steel-ore  of  Roxbury,  has  hitherto  been  wholly  unappreciated. 
And  if  our  copper  region  has  not  as  yet  been  a  source  of  income  to 
the  State,  it  is  not  surely  because  we  are  deficient  in  this  valuable 
metal,  as  the  plainest  indications  show;  but  for  the  reason  that  enter- 
prise and  capital  have  been  wanting  to  open  these  deposits  :  for 
workable  veins  of  copper,  unlike  the  other  metals,  rarely  attain  the 
surface  of  the  earth.  The  neglect  of  these  mines  however,  until 


• 


the  present  time  will  prove  less  a  detriment  to  the  public  wealth  from 
the  fact,  that  the  working  of  deep  mines  (in  consequence  of  the  econ- 
omy introduced  into  the  system  of  furnishing  supplies  requisite  to 
such  undertakings,  and  the  saving  of  power  in  the  improvement  of  the 
steam  engine)  is  now  carried  on,  at  less  than  one  half  the  cost  in- 
curred twenty-five  years  ago.  Cobalt,  zinc,  lead,  bismuth  and  sil- 
ver, are  also  to  be  included  on  the  list  of  metals  which  will  one  day 
augment  the  wealth  of  the  State ;  nor  are  the  indications  of  tin,  a 
metal  most  of  all  to  be  desired,  wholly  wanting.  Without  wishing 
by  unauthorized  statements  to  allure  the  inconsiderate,  and  those  not 
possessed  of  the  necessary  resources,  into  a  branch  of  business  where 
the  chances  of  success  would  be  greatly  against  them,  I  still  feel  it 
a  duty  to  give  it  as  my  decided  conviction,  that  the  iron  and  copper 
mines  of  the  State  constitute  a  legitimate  object  for  the  investment 
of  capital ;  and  that  if  the  enterprise  of  opening  these  resources  is 
committed  to  persons  of  integrity  and  skill,  it  must  prove  eminently 
remunerative  in  its  result,  both  to  those  immediately  interested  and 
to  the  population  generally.  For  it  is  most  obvious,  that  the  work- 
ing of  rich  mines  will  not  only  react  in  a  favorable  manner  on  the 
agricultural  interest,  by  advancing  the  price  of  farming  produce,  but 
will  also  promote  the  public  prosperity  by  leading  to  the  free  circu- 
lation of  capital,  the  improvement  of  roads,  and  to  habits  of  increased 
industry  in  the  people. 

The  advantages  possessed  by  the  State  in  respect  to  materials  for 
architecture,  decoration  and  porcelain, — for  flagging,  quicklime  and 
cements, — if  on  the  whole  better  known  and  admitted  than  those  con- 
nected with  her  metallic  resources,  are  still  far  from  being  appre- 
ciated to  their  full  extent.  This  report  it  is  hoped  will  make  it  evi- 
dent, that  they  are  not  only  bestowed  upon  us  with  a  liberal  hand, 
but  that  they  have  their  value  greatly  enhanced  by  the  topograph- 
ical features  and  geographical  position  of  our  territory.  The  Sound 
affords  a  navigation  secure  almost  as  a  river  along  the  whole  face  of 
our  southern  boundary,  while  the  Connecticut  flows  like  a  canal 
across  the  centre  of  the  State,  and  smaller  streams  and  harbors 
cleave  and  indent  the  coast.  Large  and  growing  maritime  cities 
must  still  continue  to  depend  upon  us  for  the  supply  of  much  of 
their  most  valued  architectural  materials;  and  in  the  improve- 
ment of  harbors  and  the  construction  of  fortifications,  we  are  doubt- 

2 


10 

less  destined  to  contribute  as  largely  as  heretofore.  To  an  agri- 
cultural people,  the  possession  of  so  many  quarries  under  such 
circumstances,  is  peculiarly  favorable;  surpassing  perhaps  in  direct 
advantages  to  them,  the  existence  of  mines.  For  the  working  of 
these,  together  with  the  smelting  of  ores,  are  arts  of  slow  and  diffi- 
cult acquisition,  requiring  in  many  instances  the  investment  of  an 
immense  capital,  which,  in  the  fluctuating  successes  that  often  attend 
such  operations,  must  sometimes  remain  unproductive  for  an  entire 
generation.  But  the  working  of  a  stone  quarry  is  little  more  than  a 
branch  of  agriculture.  A  farmer  supplying  himself  with  a  few  addi- 
tional instruments  and  materials,  may  work  his  ledges  as  well  as  his 
soil,  according  as  one  or  the  other  rewards  him  best  for  his  labor;  or 
he  may  manage  both,  without  prejudice  to  either.  His  labor  in  each 
case,  is  alike  conducted  in  the  broad  light  and  fresh  air  of  open  day. 

As  it  appeared  important  to  connect  with  this  report  whatever 
seemed  likely  to  promote  the  future  development  of  valuable  mine- 
rals in  the  State,  I  have  felt  myself  called  upon  to  introduce  occa- 
sional details  respecting  the  uses  of  minerals  not  commonly  under- 
stood, and  also  to  give  very  briefly  the  rules  for  detecting  and  recog- 
nizing such  substances.  And  as  encouragement  to  research,  as  well 
as  for  the  purpose  of  making  the  public  generally  acquainted  with 
our  resources,  I  have  included  frequent  statistical  notices  relating  to 
the  number  of  hands  employed  in  various  mines  and  quarries,  and  to 
the  amount  of  products  annually  afforded. 

How  far  the  results  I  am  herewith  able  to  submit  concerning  the 
economical  mineralogy  and  geology  of  the  State  will  be  thought  val- 
uable, I  am  unable  to  predict.  I  have  however,  discharged  this 
part  of  my  duty  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  though  the  restricted  pe- 
riod allowed,  has  compelled  me  to  content  myself  in  many  instances 
with  hasty  examinations  and  brief  descriptions.  That  there  was 
room  for  the  performance  of  many  useful  services  in  affording  infor- 
mation to  individuals  in  different  parts  of  the  State  who  were  occu- 
pying themselves  with  mineral  explorations,  I  am  abundantly  satis- 
fied ;  and  both  my  colleague  and  myself  have  the  satisfaction  of 
knowing,  that  we  have  dissuaded  from  many  profitless  enterprises 
not  a  few  of  our  fellow  citizens  who  stood  in  need  of  such  advice, 
while  we  hope  that  we  have  been  able  also  to  furnish  suggestions  to 
others  that  will  ultimately  be  promotive  of  their  interests.  Without 


11 

wishing  to  speak  disrespectfully  of  a  community  which  has  never 
been  placed  second  to  any  other  in  the  Union  for  its  widely  diffused 
intelligence  and  general  sagacity  of  character,  I  may  still  be  permitted 
to  say,  that  information  relating  to  the  mineral  kingdom  was  almost 
every  where  found  to  be  singularly  deficient.  Other  communities 
no  doubt  share  with  us  in  this  defect.  Many  persons,  not  otherwise 
wanting  in  intelligence,  were  met  with,  whose  belief  in  the  virtues  of 
the  divining  rod  was  unshaken,  iron-pyrites  was  often  explored  for 
gold,  talcy  rocks  were  ground  for  plaster,  and  plumbaginous  mica- 
slate  extensively  mined  for  coal !  Most  fortunate  would  it  have  been, 
could  this  deficiency  have  been  supplied  at  an  earlier  period,  as 
it  could  not  have  failed  to  check  an  immense  expenditure  of  labor 
which  has  been  worse  than  thrown  away ;  since  it  has  always  ope- 
rated more  or  less  to  interrupt  the  industry  of  neighborhoods,  and  to 
bring  into  unmerited  discredit  even  scientific  researches  connected 
with  the  mineral  kingdom. 

A  scientific  report,  embracing  notices  of  all  the  simple  minerals  of 
the  State,  independently  of  their  relations  to  the  other  sciences  or 
even  to  the  arts,  though  uninteresting  to  the  general  reader,  still 
seemed  to  be  demanded,  not  only  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  many 
students  of  mineralogy  in  the  public  institutions  of  the  State  where 
the  science  is  taught,  but  also  for  the  purpose  of  indicating  with  accu- 
racy the  numerous  productions  which  still  lie  dormant  as  respects 
any  useful  applicability,  but  which  the  progress  of  the  arts  may  ere 
long  call  into  requisition.  It  may  be  added  also,  that  it  was  pre- 
sumed the  scientific  community  generally,  were  in  the  expectation 
of  finding  in  this  report  a  summary  at  least  of  the  leading  features  of 
our  mineral  productions,  since  mineralogy  has  longer  been  cultivated 
and  taught  as  a  branch  of  education  here,  than  in  any  other  section 
of  the  country.  The  subject,  for  want  of  space,  has  necessarily  been 
treated  in  an  imperfect  manner;  though  I  venture  to  hope,  that  inas- 
much as  many  of  the  facts  are  new,  it  will  not  be  found  wholly  de- 
void of  interest  to  the  mineralogist.  It  was  certainly  an  unexpected 
result  to  myself,  to  be  able  to  detect  in  so  small  a  territory  as  that 
of  Connecticut,  and  one  whose  strata  had  been  so  little  perforated 
by  mining  operations,  nearly  one  half  of  the  well  established  min- 
eral species  hitherto  discovered  throughout  the  world,  and  fully  three 
quarters  of  all  the  elements  as  yet  made  known  to  us  by  chemical 


12 

analysis ;  much  less  was  it  anticipated  at  the  outset,  that  it  would 
become  necessary  in  the  progress  of  the  work  to  add  several  new 
species  to  the  productions  of  the  mineral  kingdom. 

It  only  remains  to  remark,  that  the  collection  of  rocks  and  mine- 
rals by  which  the  subject  has  been  illustrated  consists  of  nearly  eight 
hundred  samples,  and  is  carefully  arranged  in  horizontal  glazed  cases 
in  the  State  House  in  this  city.  The  samples  are  labeled  with  num- 
bers which  correspond  of  course,  to  those  mentioned  in  the  descrip- 
tive catalogue  forming  a  part  of  the  report.  Although  their  selection 
was  made  under  circumstances  not  calculated  in  all  instances  to  se- 
cure the  most  characteristic  or  showy  specimens,  yet  it  is  still  believ- 
ed that  they  communicate  a  correct  general  impression  of  our  mine- 
ral and  rock  formations  ;  and  it  is  hoped  that  they  may  continue  to 
be  preserved  with  care,  if  not  for  useful  objects  of  reference,  at  least 
as  faithful  vouchers  to  the  correctness  of  most  of  the  facts  mentioned 
in  this  report. 

Trusting  that  the  manner  in  which  that  part  of  the  survey  assigned 
to  my  hands  has  been  performed  will  not  disappoint  the  reasonable 
expectations  it  may  have  excited  in  the  public  mind,  or  prove  alto- 
gether unworthy  of  the  confidence  with  which  your  Excellency  has 
honored  me,  I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  UPHAM  SHEPARD. 

New  Haven,  May  15th,  1837. 


THE  report  consists  of  three  distinct  parts:  1.  an  Economical 
report,  2.  a  Scientific  report,  3.  a  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the 
cabinet. 

Under  the  first  of  these  heads,  the  rocks  and  minerals  hitherto 
employed,  or  which  are  supposed  capable  of  useful  applications  are 
treated  of;  under  the  second,  all  the  simple  minerals  are  mentioned; 
while  to  the  last  belongs,  a  description  of  the  samples  collected  to 
illustrate  the  leading  features  both  of  the  geology  and  mineralogy  of 
the  State. 


13 


ECONOMICAL    REPORT. 

The  facts  and  statements  appropriate  to  this  section  are  brought 
forward  under  the  following  general  heads:  I.  Metals,  2.  Coal, 
3.  Plumbago,  4.  Gems,  5.  Polishing  and  Grinding  Materials, 
6.  Soapstone  and  Potsto?ie,  7.  Materials  for  Alcaline  and  Earthy 
Salts,  8.  Materials  for  Bricks,  Pottery,  Porcelain  and  Glass, 
9.  Fire-stones,  10.  Fluxes,  11.  Quick-lime  and  Water-cement, 
12.  Stone-Paints,  13.  Decolorizing  carbonaceous  slate,  14.  Mate- 
rials for  Architecture  and  Decoration,  15.  Materials  for  Flagging, 
Tiling  and  Paving,  16.  Mineral  Springs,  17.  Materials  for  Agri- 
culture. 

I.  METALS. 

These  will  be  described  in  the  order  of  their  usefulness  to  society. 

IRON.  —  But  three  species  of  iron-ore  capable  of  yielding  this 
metal,  are  known  to  exist  in  the  state  ;  viz.  magnetic  iron,  limonite 
and  spathic-iron.  Native  (or  pure)  iron  has  indeed  been  found  in  a 
single  instance  on  Canaan  mountain,  but  in  a  quantity  too  small  to 
create  any  other  than  scientific  interest  ;  and  this  was  very  deeply 
excited  from  its  being  one  of  the  best  authenticated  instances  of 
terrestrial  native  iron  known. 

Magnetic  Iron.  —  This  valuable  ore,  so  abundant  in  some  sections 
of  the  United  States  and  in  the  north  of  Europe,  and  which  is  so 
well  characterized  by  its  action  on  the  magnet,  its  high  specific 
gravity  and  its  black  color,  was  reasonably  to  have  been  looked  for 
in  the  extended  gneiss  formation  of  the  State,  since  this  rock  is  its 
usual  repository  elsewhere.  Thus  far,  however,  but  few  localities  of 
it  have  been  discovered.  One  of  the  most  important  of  these  is  a 
newly  opened  bed  at  New  Preston,  on  land  owned  by  ALVAN 
BROWN,  and  situated  three  quarters  of  a  mile  southwest  from  the 
iron-furnace  at  the  outlet  of  Waramaug  pond.  The  ore  is  included 
in  gneiss  and  occurs  on  a  low  mountain  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  above  its  base.  The  position  of  the  bed  is  nearly  vertical,  its 
sides  being  well  defined,  and  distant  four  feet.  Such  is  its  facility 
of  working,  that  the  ore  is  raised  at  an  expense  below  fifty  cents  the 
ton.  Some  fears  are  entertained  respecting  its  value  from  the  cir- 
cumstance, that  it  is  more  or  less  penerated  by  iron-pyrites  (5426). 


14 

But  as  the  pyrites  is  very  decomposable  by  atmospheric  action 
(3336),  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  process  of  roasting,  together  with 
simple  exposure  to  the  weather  for  a  short  time,  will  so  far  free 
it  from  sulphur  as  to  permit  its  use  advantageously,  at  least  when 
mingled  with  the  ordinary  ore  of  the  vicinity.  No  doubt  can  be 
entertained  concerning  the  abundance  of  the  ore ;  and  preparations 
were  making  last  summer  for  a  full  trial  of  its  value.  About  thirty 
tons  of  the  ore  from  this  bed  are  said  to  have  been  successfully 
smelted  twenty  years  ago  in  the  forges  of  Litchfield  and  those  of 
the  immediate  neighborhood. 

A  bed  of  excellent  ore  (5336)  has  long  been  known  to  exist  in 
the  southeastern  part  of  Sharon  on  Buck's  mountain,  which  is  situa- 
ted directly  on  the  Housatonic  river.  The  ore  is  half  a  mile  dis- 
tant from  the  river,  and  at  least  two  hundred  feet  above  the  surface 
of  the  stream.  It  is  said  to  have  been  traced  in  an  uniform  direc- 
tion for  the  distance  of  a  mile.  Where  the  excavations  have  been 
made,  it  has  frequently  shown  a  width  of  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet, 
though  it  appears  often  to  contract  within  much  narrower  limits. 
The  ore  is  entirely  free  from  iron-pyrites,  and  even  from  earthy 
substances.  Fifty  tons  of  it  were  raised  half  a  century  ago,  and 
successfully  employed  in  forges  ;  and  a  much  larger  quantity  from 
the  same  mine  only  eight  years  since,  commanded  the  price  of  five 
dollars  per  ton.  Still  the  working  of  the  bed  is  for  the  present 
abandoned  as  unprofitable,  although  the  want  of  success  in  the  last 
attempt  is  attributed  by  some  to  the  fact  that  an  injudicious  part  of 
the  bed  was  selected  for  the  experiment. 

Another  bed  of  this  ore  has  been  found  in  Reading,  on  land  owned 
by  M.  GREGORY.  It  is  situated  near  the  boundaries  of  Wilton  and 
Ridgefield,  and  within  a  few  rods  of  the  Sugar-Hollow  turnpike. 
The  ore  is  disseminated  in  irregular,  discontinuous  seams,  from  half 
an  inch  to  two  inches  wide,  through  a  bed  of  quartz  ten  or  fifteen 
feet  thick,  included  in  a  ledge  of  gneiss.  With  it,  is  associated  in  the 
same  bed,  garnet,  tourmaline  and  iron-pyrites.  The  rocks  present- 
ing in  this  place  an  almost  perpendicular  face  of  twenty  five  feet,  it 
is  easy  to  inspect  the  situation  of  the  ore,  which  has  the  appearance 
of  being  confined  to  a  portion  of  the  bed,  not  above  four  feet  in 
width.  But  little  labor  has  been  expended  upon  the  development 
of  the  ore ;  consequently  it  is  difficult  to  form  an  opinion  of  its  ex- 


15 

tent.  It  (544)  is  more  finely  granular  than  that  of  New  Preston  or 
Sharon,  and  is  slightly  blended  up  with  chlorite. 

An  ore  nearly  identical  in  appearance  with  that  just  described,  it 
being  both  fine  granular  and  intermingled  with  chlorite  (543),  occurs 
in  Newtown,  on  a  wooded  swell  of  land,  a  little  east  of  JUDSON'S 
quarry.  It  is  found  disseminated  through  seams  of  quartz  in  gneiss. 
No  mass  of  the  ore  was  noticed  above  two  inches  in  diameter, 
though  seams  of  pure  chlorite  (375)  were  common  of  much  greater 
thickness.  At  one  spot  indeed,  this  mineral  was  several  feet  in 
thickness.  As  the  rock  is  much  concealed  by  soil,  it  will  not  be 
easy  to  settle  the  question  whether  or  not,  a  profitable  bed  of  ore 
does  here  exist. 

A  more  encouraging  prospect  for  obtaining  a  supply  of  magnetic 
iron  is  afforded  in  the  northeastern  corner  of  Winchester,  where  a  thin 
stratum  of  it  was  discovered  upwards  of  forty  years  ago.  It  is  con- 
tained in  gneiss,  and  like  the  two  last  embraces  chlorite  (542).  But 
little  labor  has  been  expended  with  a  view  to  lay  it  open.  Its  width 
appears  to  be  about  one  foot.  It  is  well  situated  in  point  of  elevation 
for  exploration,  and  from  its  contiguity  to  important  iron  works, 
merits  more  attention  than  it  has  hitherto  received. 

Traces  of  magnetic  iron  have  been  observed  at  other  places  in  the 
gneissoid  region  of  northwestern  Connecticut,  and  occurring  as  they 
all  do  under  conditions  so  analogous  to  those  of  the  Highland  beds, 
we  are  fully  authorized  to  regard  some  of  them  as  belonging  to  the 
same  general  gneiss  formation,  the  direction  of  which  scarcely  varies 
from  northeast  to  southwest.  This  coincidence  leads  us  to  hope 
that  more  extended  researches  will  at  no  distant  period  result  in  the 
discovery  of  good  workable  beds  of  this  invaluable  ore. 

The  southwestern  section  of  the  State;  also  furnishes  indications  of 
the  species  now  under  consideration,  though  under  circumstances 
quite  different  from  those  above  mentioned.  The  sand  of  the  sea- 
board from  New  Haven  quite  to  Stonington  Point,  and  even  beyond, 
upon  the  Rhode  Island  coast,  frequently  contains  magnetic  iron  in 
the  state  of  iron-sand  (540).  A  forge  in  Voluntown  has  derived 
considerable  quantities  of  ore  from  this  source.*  The  origin  of  this 

*  The  magnetic  iron-sand  might  be  purified  from  the  foreign  materials  with  which 
it  is  much  blended,  by  means  of  the  magnetic  separating  machine  invented  by 


16 

sand  is  apparent  in  the  granite  bordering  on  the  Sound,  especially  in 
the  flesh-red  varieties  of  Stonington  and  Groton  (466).  The  most 
remarkable  occurrence  of  the  ore  in  place,  however,  is  on  SELDON'S 
point,  in  Hadlyme.  It  is  here  found  in  several  spots  disseminated 
through  granite  in  beds  and  nests,  sometimes  of  several  square  yards 
in  superficial  extent,  and  forming  one  quarter  or  even  one  third  part 
of  the  rock.  In  structure,  it  is  highly  crystalline,  the  individuals 
being  large  and  apparently  playing  the  part  of  feldspar  in  the  com- 
position of  the  rock  (5416).  The  ledges  are  sufficiently  elevated 
to  facilitate  the  raising  of  the  ore,  and  so  near  the  Connecticut  as  to 
render  its  transportation  to  some  suitable  place  for  reduction  highly 
convenient.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  seems  surprising  that  no 
trial  has  hitherto  been  made  with  a  view  to  develop  the  extent  and 
value  of  this  deposit. 

The  same  variety  of  ore  is  common,  though  less  abundant,  in  the 
granite  of  Walkley  hill,  half  a  mile  north  of  the  court  house  in  Had- 
dam  (537y)  and  in  North  Madison,  two  and  a  half  miles  west  of 
the  meeting  house  on  land  of  Col.  BENTON  (538).  At  both  of 
these  places,  the  ore  is  more  frequently  in  distinct  crystals  than  at 
Hadlyme. 

lAmonite. — This  species  includes  all  the  ores  which  have  hereto- 
fore afforded  iron  to  commerce  in  this  State,  if  we  except  the  un- 
important quantity  derived  from  the  magnetic  iron-sand  above  men- 
tioned. It  presents  a  number  of  mineralogical  varieties,  depending 
on  diversities  in  mechanical  composition,  the  intermixture  of  foreign 
species,  and  rarely  of  organic  impurities.  Among  these  varieties  the 
following  may  be  enumerated  as  the  most  important  :  fibrous  brown 
hematite  (547,  548),  compact  hematite  (552),  ochrey  brown  iron- 
ore  (553),  and  bog  iron-ore  (553,  554). 

Fibrous  brown  hematite  consists  of  82  peroxide  of  iron,*  14  water, 
2  oxide  of  manganese  and  1  silica,  in  the  hundred  parts,  while  bog 
iron-ore  contains  from  40  to  50  p.  c.  of  peroxide  of  iron,  the  other 


SAMUEL  BROWNING,  or  possibly  still  better  by  galvanic  magnets,  which   have 
already  been  constructed  with  power  to  raise  a  ton's  weight.     As  the  power  of  the 
latter  instrument  may  be  instantaneously  suspended  and  renewed,  it  is  likely  that  it 
would  possess  decided  advantages  over  the  magnetic  separating  machine. 
*  Peroxide  of  iron  contains  70  p.  c.  metallic  iron. 


17 

ingredients  being  silica,  alumina,  water  and  oxide  of  manganese, 
with  frequent  traces  of  phosphoric  acid. 

The  fibrous  brown  hematite,  compact  hematite,  and  the  ochrey 
mixtures  of  the  two,  are  generally  confined  to  primitive  rocks,  as 
gneiss  and  mica-slate.  They  afford  materials  for  very  large  iron- 
works in  many  countries,  and  are  universally  regarded  as  the  best 
ores  for  yielding  a  malleable  iron,  and  for  being  easily  converted 
into  steel.  Although  these  ores  (which  may  be  referred  to,  under 
the  general  name  of  hematite)  are  confined  to  a  limited  district  of  the 
State,  they  nevertheless  appear  to  constitute  its  richest  metallic  re- 
source. The  towns  in  which  they  exist  are  Salisbury,  Sharon,  and 
Kent;  and  the  principal  deposits  hitherto  explored,  are  those  of 
the  "  Ore-hill,"  Salisbury, — the  Indian  pond  ore-bed,  Sharon, — and 
the  Kent  ore-bed.  The  two  first  form  beds  in  mica-slate ;  the  last  in 
a  micaceous  gneiss  and  quartz-rock.  At  Sharon  and  Salisbury,  the 
ore  is  disposed  in  vast  beds  with  a  stratification  every  where  obvious, 
and  perfectly  conformable  to  that  of  the  adjoining  mica-slate.  It  is 
moreover,  free  from  secondary  aggregates.  At  Kent  on  the  con- 
trary, the  order  of  arrangement  is  less  visible  in  the  bed,  which  at 
first  view  appears  to  be  a  confused  accumulation  of  broken,  decom- 
posing (and  in  some  instances  re-cemented)  rock,  at  the  foot  of  a 
high  ledge. 

The  Ore-hill  mine  of  Salisbury  is  by  far  the  most  important  of 
these  deposits.  It  is  situated  about  two  miles  west  of  the  Furnace- 
pond  and  covers  an  area  of  several  acres,  forming  the  southeastern 
slope  of  a  slight  elevation  of  land.  It  is  worked  like  a  quarry,  open 
to  the  sky.  The  entire  surface  of  the  slope  is  destitute  of  vegetation, 
and  every  where  excavated  by  diggings  and  pits,  the  former  being 
slight  are  called  by  the  workmen,  "  wood-chuck  holes."  The  prin- 
cipal pits  are  six  in  number.  These  are  carried  forward  on  a  level 
into  the  hill  at  various  depths,  from  twenty  to  thirty-five  feet,  below 
its  general  surface.  The  annexed  diagram  will  give  an  idea  of  their 
relative  situation. 

3 


18 


A,  big  drain-pit.  B,  mammoth-pit.  C,  cornstalk-pit.  D,  Blod- 
get  &  Kelsey's  pit.  E,  brook-pit.  F,  Walker's  pit.  a,  Agent's 
office,  b,  road  to  Furnace-pond ;  dotted  lines  show  the  direction 
of  the  drains  from  the  pits. 

Each  pit  is  explored  by  a  separate  company  of  individuals,  who 
are  allowed  by  the  proprietors  of  the  ore-bed,  the  exclusive  right  of 
raising  ore  within  certain  limits.  The  pit-owners  again  grant  per- 
mission on  their  own  terms  to  others  who  wish  to  engage  in  the 
small  surface  diggings,  which  are  never  carried  so  deep  as  to  require 
the  construction  of  drains.  The  brook  and  big  drain-pits  are  the 
largest :  the  latter  raised  one  thousand  tons  of  ore  between  April 
and  July,  of  the  last  season.  One  dollar  and  three  quarters  is  paid 
to  the  pit-men  for  raising  the  ore.  The  duty  exacted  by  the  owners 
of  the  mine  is  one  dollar  and  a  quarter ;  and  the  expense  of  carting 


19 

is  one  shilling  per  mile,  making  the  entire  cost  of  the  ore  to  the  fur- 
naces between  four  and  five  dollars  the  ton.  The  average  amount 
annually  raised  from  this  bed  during  the  last  forty  years,  has  been 
five  thousand  tons.  Nor  does  it  appear  that  the  deposit  has  been 
dug  through  excepting  near  its  western  boundary,  where  the  exca- 
vations have  been  made  somewhat  obliquely  across  the  layers  of  the 
bed ;  its  depth  in  the  direction  of  the  strata,  it  may  be  presumed,  is 
very  great,  and  no  satisfactory  evidence  could  be  procured,  that  its 
bottom  has  ever  in  a  single  instance  been  obtained.  At  the  present 
rate  of  working  the  bed,  no  material  advance  in  the  price  of  raising 
the  ore  is  anticipated  ;  and  ultimately,  when  the  upper  levels  are 
exhausted,  the  introduction  of  the  steam  engine  with  the  usual  ma- 
chinery of  deep  mines,  by  the  advantages  they  will  afford  over  the 
present  mode  of  working,  will  still  be  able  to  supply  the  furnaces 
without  any  increase  of  charge. 

The  principal  furnaces  supplied  with  the  ore  of  this  bed  are  the 
following:  1.  Chapin's  furnace,  situated  in  the  north  part  of  Salis- 
bury, 2.  Salisbury  Iron  Company's  furnace,  at  Mount  Riga,  3. 
Canfield,  Sterling  &t  Co.,  on  the  Housatonick,  4.  Holly  &  Co.,  at 
Limerock,  in  the  eastern  part  of  Salisbury,  5.  Two  furnaces  in  the 
western  part  of  Cornwall,  6.  Ancram  furnace,  in  New  York.  The 
ore  is  reduced  at  these  places  in  high  furnaces,  and  yields  on  an 
average  from  forty  to  fifty  per  cent  of  pig-iron.  This  is  principally 
converted  into  bar-iron  at  the  furnaces  where  produced,  or  at  the 
forges  in  Winsted  and  Canaan,  and  is  there  manufactured  into  bar- 
iron  for  musket  and  rifle-barrels,  and  for  common  uses  for  the  black- 
smith ;  anchors,  axletrees,  iron-bars  and  tires  for  wheels,  irons  for 
grist  and  saw-mills,  shafts  for  steam-engines  and  manufactories  of  all 
kinds ;  large  screws  for  clothiers,  paper-makers,  and  for  pressing 
bales  of  cotton  and  hay.* 

The  Indian  pond  ore-bed  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Indian 
pond,  and  directly  at  the  base  of  a  high  ridge  of  mica-slate.  Its 


*  The  best  Salisbury  iron  has  obtained  a  decided  preference  over  all  other  iron, 
either  foreign  or  domestic,  for  the  construction  of  musket  and  rifle-barrels.  Its  con- 
sumption for  this  purpose  was  sevexal  years  ago  as  follows :  public  armory  at  Spring- 
field, (Mass.,)  one  hundred  and  twenty  tons,  public  armory  at  Harper's  ferry,  (Va.,) 
one  hundred  tons,  gun  factories  at  Whitney ville  and  Middletown,  (Ct.,)  and  at  Pitts- 
field  and  Millbury,  (Mass.,)  from  forty  to  fifty  tons  each.  The  expense  of  transpor- 
tation from  Salisbury  to  the  Hudson  river  is  five  dollars  per  ton. 


20 

distance  from  the  pond  is  about  sixty  rods,  and  its  elevation  above  it 
forty  or  fifty  feet.  The  ore  forms  a  distinctly  stratified  mass,  whose 
layers  correspond  in  direction  and  dip  to  those  of  the  adjoining  rock, 
inclining  45°  to  the  east.  A  considerable  accumulation  of  diluvium 
is  piled  up  against  the  bed.  The  ore  is  less  abundant  than  at  Salis- 
bury. Frequently  the  strata  are  too  lean  to  justify  exploration,  in 
which  case  the  workmen  omit  to  remove  such  portions,  and  follow 
the  ore  in  directions  where  it  is  richer.  About  two  thousand  tons  of 
ore  are  annually  raised  from  this  deposit,  at  an  expense  of  one  dol- 
lar and  a  half  per  ton.  It  is  principally  carried  to  a  furnace  in  Sha- 
ron, owned  by  Messrs.  Brinsmade,  Wolcott  &  Smith,  and  distant 
two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  bed.  The  iron  yielded  by  this  ore 
is  less  malleable  than  that  of  Salisbury,  and  is  principally  used  for 
castings. 

The  Kent  bed  was  formerly  considered  as  a  very  important  de- 
posit of  ore.  It  supplied  several  extensive  forge-establishments  for 
a  great  number  of  years  with  ore  of  an  excellent  quality;  but  partly 
in  consequence  of  the  unskillful  and  improvident  manner  in  which 
the  original  workings  were  conducted,  and  partly  from  the  limited 
extent  and  peculiar  situation  of  the  bed,  it  has  now  sunk  into  almost 
total  neglect.  It  is  situated  on  the  western  declivity  of  a  low  moun- 
tain, near  its  base.  In  length  the  mountain  is  about  three  miles,  and 
in  height  two  hundred  feet.  Its  length  corresponds  with  the  edges 
of  stratification  in  the  vicinity,  which  do  not  differ  essentially  from 
north  by  east.  Annexed  is  a  cross  section  of  the  western  slope  of 
the  elevation,  passing  directly  across  the  ore-bed. 

Fig.  1. 

F 


A.  Decomposed  micaceous  gneiss  (976),  called  by  the  workmen 
"  gray  fuller's  earth."     Its  dip  is  between  60  and  80°  east.     It  is 
covered  with  a  thin  covering  of  diluvium,  d. 

B.  Ore-bed.     The  mine  is  at  present  in  such  an  uncleared  and 
neglected  condition  as  completely  to  conceal  the  position  of  the  bed. 
Considerable  information  however,  was  derived  from  several  intelli- 


21 

gent  miners  who  were  formerly  engaged  in  its  exploration.  From 
their  statements,  it  appears  that  the  ore  is  situated  in  a  number  of 
nearly  parallel  veins  (beds),  whose  direction  and  dip  is  nearly  coin- 
cident with  that  of  the  gray  fuller's  earth  A.  Between  the  beds, 
several  feet  of  gray  fuller's  earth  are  interposed.  They  state  more- 
over that  the  fuller's  earth  where  in  contact  with  the  bed  of  ore  pos- 
sesses an  indurated  texture,  and  has  consequently  received  from  them 
the  name  of  "  shell"  (986).  A  ground-plat  view  will  render  intelli- 
gible the  direction  of  these  beds,  as  well  as  the  general  figure  of  the 
pit  which  has  been  formed  in  excavating  the  mine. 

X  Fig.  2. 


A.  Surrounding  banks  of  loose  earth,  clay  and  rock. 

B  and  C.  Oval  elevations,  or  cones,  of  loose  earthy  materials. 

D.  Bed  of  stream  (generally  dry)  over  which  the  water  flows  that 
carries  out  the  earth  and  stone  from  the  bed,  and  in  which  the  ore  is 
washed.  The  water  employed  for  this  purpose  is  collected  in  a  de- 
pression, E,  (fig.  1)  just  above  the  top  of  the  bed,  and  is  let  on  at  X, 
where  a  dam  and  gate  are  situated.  It  is  only  during  a  short  season  in 
the  spring  and  autumn,  that  they  have  the  command  of  water  adequate 
to  the  operation.  During  a  full  supply,  the  mine  is  inundated  forty 
or  fifty  times  in  a  day.  By  this  means  the  loose  materials,  including 
masses  of  rock  above  a  foot  in  diameter,  are  swept  through  the 
whole  length  of  the  drain  for  a  distance  of  thirty  rods  into  the  low 


22 

ground.  The  height  of  the  inclined  plane  forming  the  bed  of  the 
stream  is  about  sixty  feet. 

a,  Drain-vein,  b,  Chocolate-vein,  c,  Blue  swamp-vein.  d,  Anvil- 
ledge. 

The  chocolate-vein  was  worked  from  seventy  to  one  hundred  feet 
in  length,  and  about  twelve  in  width.  The  drain-vein  had  nearly  the 
same  width.  At  present,  all  the  beds  indicated  in  the  sketch,  with 
the  exception  of  the  anvil-ledge,  are  covered  up  by  the  rubbish  which 
has  washed  down  from  the  banks.  Indeed,  the  working  at  this  place 
has  almost  wholly  ceased,  from  the  depth  at  which  the  ore  lies  and 
the  danger  apprehended  from  the  sliding  down  of  the  eastern  wall, 
which  overhangs  the  bed  in  a  frightful  manner,  presenting  a  nearly 
vertical  front  of  loose,  shelly  materials,  sixty  or  seventy  feet  in  height. 
Several  slips  in  this  great  bank  have  actually  taken  place,  during 
which  at  least  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  rock  and  earth  have  been  in 
motion  at  once,  and  have  given  rise  to  large  sinks  and  chasms  on  the 
surface.  But  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  ore  were  raised  at  this 
place  last  year ;  and  this  was  obtained  by  picking  up  pieces  that  had 
washed  out  of  the  banks  and  by  partial  adits,  called  "  burrows"  by 
the  workmen,  carried  horizontally  into  the  banks  of  gray  fuller's 
earth,  in  the  direction  of  the  beds. 

In  farther  explanation  of  the  bed,  the  following  references  to  fig.  1 
are  added : 

C.  Decomposing,  quartzy  mica-slate   (180).     It  dips   80°  west, 
and  forms  part  of  the  eastern  wall  to  the  excavation. 

D.  An  alternation  of  quartz-rock  (like  1806),   decomposing,  mi- 
caceous gneiss  (96)  and   quartzy  mica-slate.     They  rest  their  bas- 
seting  edges  on  C,  and  dip  20°  east. 

E.  Wet  alluvium  ;  during  part  of  the  year  a  shallow  pond.     It 
extends  back  about  forty  rods  to  the  ledge  F. 

F.  Gneiss,  thick    granitic,   and   occasionally  hornblendic.     It  is 
nearly  vertical,  dipping  80  to  85°  west. 

At  present  the  workmen  are  directing  their  attention  to  a  more 
recent  opening,  situated  seventy  or  eighty  rods  north  of  the  old 
mine,  on  the  same  slope  and  at  the  same  elevation  above  the  valley. 
It  has  been  worked  more  or  less  for  a  period  of  thirty  years.  Until 
lately,  the  ore  was  obtained  exclusively  by  burrows ;  but  they  have 
now  formed  a  deep  drain,  open  to  the  air  as  at  the  old  bed,  and  from 
the  sides  of  this  drain  they  carry  in  burrows,  where  the  workmen 


23 

operate  to  advantage  during  the  winter.  In  this  way,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  tons  were  obtained  during  the  last  year  by  two  hands.  The 
ore  sells  for  three  dollars  and  a  quarter  per  ton,  at  the  mine;  one  third 
of  which  sum  is  allowed  the  workmen,  together  with  some  privile- 
ges connected  with  the  farm  on  which  the  mine  is  situated. 

The  Kent  ore-bed  cannot  with  any  degree  of  propriety  be  consid- 
ered as  exhausted.  The  whole  distance  between  the  north  excava- 
tion and  the  old  bed  is  probably  occupied  by  ore,  while  the  beds  in 
no  instance  have  as  yet  been  dug  out  in  the  direction  of  their  stratifi- 
cation. From  their  relation  to  the  including  strata  A  and  C  (fig.  1),  it 
would  appear  indeed,  that  at  a  certain  depth,  they  must  grow  very  thin 
and  finally  perhaps  wedge  out,  altogether.  But  from  the  distance  of  A 
and  C,  it  is  obvious  that  this  cannot  occur  short  of  a  very  great  depth. 
To  recommence  the  work  with  profit  however,  will  undoubtedly 
demand  a  heavy  expenditure,  though  it  scarcely  admits  of  a  doubt 
that  the  proprietors  would  in  the  end  experience  a  full  and  satisfac- 
tory remuneration.* 

Several  minor  deposits  of  limonite  require  a  brief  notice,  before 
concluding  this  account  of  the  present  species  of  iron-ore.  The 
most  important  of  these  is  known  as  Chatfield's  bed.  It  is  situated 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  southeast  from  Ore-hill  and  at  a  lower  level,  by 
about  one  hundred  feet.  Indeed,  the  natural  drain  from  Ore-hill 
passes  directly  by  Chatfield's  bed.  The  excavation  here  made  is 
not  far  from  ten  rods  in  length,  by  two  or  three  rods  in  width  and 
from  twenty  five  to  thirty  feet  deep.  Its  direction  is  nearly  north 
and  south.  The  bed,  together  with  the  adjoining  rock,  dips  50°  to 
the  east.  In  excavating  a  drain  for  a  considerable  distance  through 
the  mica-slate  rock  forming  the  eastern  side  of  the  pit,  it  was  found 
that  the  rock  was  hard  until  within  ten  feet  of  the  bed,  where  it  be- 
came more  or  less  soft  through  decomposition.  The  bed  at  the  sur- 

*  Much  of  the  ore  afforded  by  the  anvil  ledge,  some  of  which  is  still  accessible,  is 
the  variety  called  by  the  furnace-men  "  frost-ore."  It  is  an  iron-breccia,  consisting 
of  fragments  of  quartz  and  ferruginous  jasper,  cemented  together  by  limonite,  the 
aggregate  being  filled  with  cavities  lined  more  or  less  with  minute  crystals  of  trans- 
parent quartz  (487).  Several  unsuccessful  attempts  have  been  made  to  reduce  it 
in  furnaces,  but  it  has  only  yielded  an  inferior  kind  of  cast-iron.  A  different  mode 
of  treatment  in  respect  to  the  kind  and  quantity  of  flux,  might  be  attended  with 
better  results.  The  subject  justly  merits  attention,  as  thousands  of  tons  of  this  va- 
riety might  be  raised  at  a  trifling  expense. 


24 

face  had  a  breadth  of  two  or  three  rods,  but  has  continued  to  close 
up  as  it  goes  down,  until  at  the  south  end  of  the  pit  where  the  work- 
ing is  now  going  forward,  it  has  a  thickness  of  but  ten  feet.  At  this 
point,  moreover,  it  has  altered  its  direction,  and  instead  of  falling  off 
to  the  east,  has  assumed  a  southerly  dip  and  appears  likely  to  wheel 
round  still  farther  and  finally  to  run  into  an  old  pit,  twenty  rods  long, 
which  was  worked  forty  years  ago.  The  stratification  of  that  pit 
was  said  to  have  been  southwesterly  in  its  lie.  And  as  the  direction 
of  the  excavation  points  directly  to  the  Ore-hill,  it  would  seem  to 
favor  the  idea  of  a  communication  between  the  two  deposits.  It 
would  be  interesting  to  ascertain  whether  this  connexion  does  actu- 
ally exist.  The  sinking  of  a  few  pits  at  various  spots  in  the  line  of 
direction  would  easily  settle  the  question. 

Seven  hands  are  employed  at  Chatfield's  bed.  In  1835,  eight 
hundred  tons  of  ore  were  raised,  and  a  much  larger  quantity  in 
1836.  It  is  carried  to  the  furnaces  in  Canaan  and  Cornwall,  and  is 
said  to  yield  an  iron  scarcely  different  from  that  of  the  Ore-hill.  One 
fact  however,  is  noticeable  with  respect  to  the  ore  at  this  place, 
which  serves  to  distinguish  it  from  that  of  Ore-hill.  The  fibrous 
varieties  are  closer  and  often  impalpable  in  their  texture  ;  a  circum- 
stance which  may  possibly  be  attributed  to  the  lower  level  and  moister 
situation  of  Chatfield's  bed.* 

Another  bed  still  wrought  to  a  small  extent  in  Salisbury,  is  Da- 
vis' ore-bed,  situated  two  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Ore-hill. 
It  occurs  along  the  sides  of  a  small  stream  which  runs  through  a 
slight  depression  or  valley,  down  a  gentle  slope  of  ground  which  falls 
off  towards  the  east.  The  gray  fuller's  earth  is  abundant  in  the  vi- 
cinity, and  considerable  ore  has  been  dug  by  sinking  pits  into  it,  at 
numerous  places.  It  is  difficult  however  to  drain  the  excavations,  and 
the  ore  lying  considerably  below  the  surface,  and  being  raised  in 
small  pieces  and  much  intermingled  with  clay,  requires  to  go  through 
the  process  of  washing.  At  present  they  are  raising  ore  from  an 
excavation  twenty  five  rods  in  an  easterly  direction  from  old  pond- 
bed,  a  pit  that  twenty  years  ago  yielded  three  thousand  tons  of  ex- 
cellent ore.  Four  hands  raised  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  in  one 


*  An  opening  for  ore  was  made  a  few  years  ago,  two  hundred  rods  north  of  Chat- 
field's,  but  the  bed  was  found  to  be  too  thin  to  make  its  exploration  an  object. 


25 

month  during  the  last  summer.  They  receive  one  dollar  and  sixty- 
two  cents  per  ton  for  the  ore,  from  the  proprietors  of  the  bed.  The 
ore  is  carried  to  Mount  Riga.  It  yields  iron  of  excellent  quality, 
and  is  smelted  with  much  less  fuel  than  that  of  Ore-hill. 

Two  extensive  deposits  of  hematite  exist  in  the  north  part  of 
Salisbury,  distant  from  each  other  about  a  mile ;  one  is  called  Sco- 
vil's,  and  the  other  Cha pin's  bed.  They  are  so  situated  however  as  to 
render  the  draining  of  them  difficult.  The  ore  is  said  to  be  abun- 
dant, and  is  extremely  compact  in  its  texture  (5506).  All  attempts 
however,  to  obtain  from  it  a  good  iron  have  thus  far  failed ;  and  the 
beds  have  consequently  been  abandoned  for  upwards  of  eight  years. 
The  product  of  tbese  ores,  when  smelted,  was  almost  wholly  devoted  to 
kentledge.  The  complaint  has  been  made  by  some  of  the  workmen, 
that  the  ore  is  too  rich;  and  it  has  been  suggested  again  by  others,  that 
it  is  in  consequence  of  the  presence  of  oxide  of  manganese.  But  it 
seems  much  more  reasonable  to  attribute  the  partial  success  in  smelt- 
ing this  ore  to  its  compact  texture,  for  it  does  not  appear  that  the  pro- 
cess of  roasting  has  in  the  least  been  modified  in  consequence  of  this 
structure.  The  ore  has  accordingly  been  introduced  into  the  furnace 
in  an  unprepared  state.  Its  volatile  ingredients,  water,  sulphur  and 
arsenic  (perhaps)  have  not  been  dissipated  ;  in  addition  to  which  its 
texture  has  not  become  sufficiently  porous  to  allow  of  the  free  access 
of  the  gaseous  combustible  matter  for  its  reduction,  as  a  consequence 
of  which  instead  of  passing  directly  to  the  metallic  state,  a  large  part  of 
it  unites  as  protoxide  of  iron  with  the  silica  and  forms  an  irreducible 
slag,  from  which  it  is  difficult  wholly  to  separate  the  portions  that  have 
suffered  reduction.  Some  sulphur  also,  from  defective  roasting,  is 
present  to  vitiate  the  result.  If  the  difficulty  in  the  present  case  is 
referable  to  the  source  here  supposed,  the  remedy  is  obvious.  Instead 
of  roasting  the  ore  in  large  open  heaps,  it  is  only  necessary  to  heat  it  in 
furnaces  similar  to  those  employed  for  burning  lime,  (called  perpetual 
kilns,)  where  the  fire  is  constantly  kept  up,  and  portions  of  the  charge 
from  time  to  time  withdrawn.  Such  furnaces  for  roasting  iron-ores  are 
common  in  Germany.  They  are  constructed  of  brick,  and  have  a 
cylindrical  shape,  with  an  elevation  of  seventeen  feet.  Three  open- 
ings with  grates  are  placed  equidistant,  near  the  bottom  for  introducing 
the  coal,  between  which  are  three  others,  situated  on  a  level  with  the 

4 


26 

ground,  for  pulling  out  the  ore.  A  small  cast-iron  cone  is  placed  af 
the  bottom  of  the  furnace,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  ore  prop- 
erly accumulated  against  the  grates,  where  the  heat  is  the  strongest. 
Several  other  promising  indications  of  hematite  are  found  in  the 
towns  of  Salisbury,  Sharon,  Cornwall,  Kent  and  New  Milford,  bus 
no  beds,  excepting  those  already  mentioned,  have  yet  assumed  suffi- 
cient importance  to  be  treated  of  in  this  report.  Whenever  the  en- 
terprise of  their  proprietors,  or  of  others  shall  cause  them  to  be 
thoroughly  explored,  the  sources  of  workable  iron-ore  to  the  State 
will  be  augmented  to  a  very  important  degree.  There  certainly 
does  not  appear  to  be  the  smallest  ground  for  apprehension,  that  a 
decline  of  this  resource  is  likely  to  occur  for  many  generations  to 
come,  at  least  so  far  as  a  supply  of  ore  is  concerned.  A  slight  de- 
pression in  the  iron-interest  has  been  experienced  within  a  few  years, 
which  is  attributed  by  the  proprietors  of  furnaces  to  the  high  price 
of  ore  and  of  charcoal.  The  duly  on  the  ore  of  Salisbury  (Ore- 
hill)  was  originally  but  forty-two  cents  the  ton  ;  but  it  has  steadily 
advanced,  until  within  the  last  fifteen  years,  it  has  stood  at  one  dollar 
and  a  quarter.  Charcoal  has  also  increased  in  value  fifteen  or  twenty 
per  cent.  These  advances  will  no  doubt  continue  to  be  felt,  unless 
met  by  corresponding  exertions  to  avail  of  higher  economy  and  skill 
in  the  fabrication  of  cast-iron.  Important  ameliorations  are  capable 
of  being  introduced,  not  only  in  the  picking  and  roasting  of  ores,  the 
preparation  of  charcoal,  the  selection  and  apportioning  of  fluxes,  but 
still  more  in  the  admission  of  heated  air  in  the  blast.* 


*  As  no  furnaces  in  the  State  have  attended  to  this  last  mentioned  improvement, 
it  is  to  be  presumed  that  the  nature  of  the  invention  is  not  fully  understood  by  pro- 
prietors of  iron-works,  A  few  general  remarks  respecting  the  subject  may  not 
therefore,  be  inappropriate  to  this  report. 

In  the  fabrication  of  cast-iron  it  must  be  obvious,  that  a  certain  temperature  rs 
necessary  to  secure  the  favorable  working  of  the  furnace.  If  this  is  not  reached, 
all  the  stock  added,  is  (in  the  language  of  the  furnace-men)  "  cut  to  pieces"  without 
any  reduction  of  the  metal.  The  manner  in  which  the  hot  blast  secures  the  heat 
required,  is  at  once  understood  if  we  reflect  upon  the  ascertained  fact,  that  in  a  fur- 
nace whose  charges  of  stock  amount  to  two  tons  per  hour,  the  weight  of  air  driven 
in,  is  six  tons  for  the  same  time.  The  difference  between  the  admission  of  this  pro- 
digious weight  of  air  at  50°  and  600°  is  most  apparent,  especially  when  it  is  consid- 
ered that  it  enters  the  hottest  part  of  the  furnace.  In  both  cases,  the  effect  it  pro- 
duces to  support  combustion  is  the  same  ;  in  the  latter  however,  it  does  not  rob  the 
combustion  of  the  heat  it  produces.  But  before  quoting  the  verification  of  the  ra- 


27 

The  following  is  an  approximation  to  the  annual  yield  of  furnaces 
in  cast-iron  in  this  section  of  the  State  : — 

The  ore  from  N.  Y.  The  ore  from  Conn. 

Housatonic  manufacturing  co«,         500  tons. 

Macedonia  furnace  co.,  850    " 

Kent  furnace  co.,  600    " 

Sharon  valley-furnace,      -  800  tons. 

Raumaug  iron  co.,  500    " 

Chapinville,  400    « 

Canfield  &,  Robbins, 

Cornwall  iron  co., 

Cornwall-bridge  iron  co., 

Lirnerock  furnace, 

Mt.  Riga, 

245.0    «  4000 


tionale  given  and  which  experience  has  furnished,  it  is  proper  to  allude  to  the  method 
by  which  the  air  is  heated  and  to  slate  how  it  is  forced  into  the  furnace.  A  number 
of  arrangements  have  been  adopted  in  Scotland  for  heating  the  air,  but  no  one  in 
particular  seems  hitherto  to  have  proved  itself  superior  to  the  rest.  In  general,  the 
method  may  be  described  to  consist,  in  maintaining  at  a  red  heat,|the  cast-iron  tubes 
through  which  the  air  from  the  blowing  apparatus  to  the  furnace  is  conveyed.  But 
as  the  temperature  of  the  furnace  near  the  nozzles  becomes  so  much  elevated,  it  is 
necessary  in  order  to  prevent  the  melting  of  the  cast-iron  lining  to  employ  the  wa- 
t«r-tweer ;  which  consists  of  an  iron-lining,  cast  hollow  instead  of  solid,  so  as  to  con- 
tain water  within,  which  is  admitted  by  means  of  one  pipe  and  allowed  to  escape  by 
another  as  it  becomes  heated.  It  thus  becomes  practicable  to  lute  up  the  space  be- 
tween the  blowpipe  nozzle  and  the  tweers,  whereby  all  loss  of  air  is  prevented,  and 
the  bellowing  noise  formerly  produced  completely  suppressed. 

To  exhibit  in  a  satisfactory  point  of  view  the  operation  of  this  arrangement,  the 
results  obtained  at  the  Clyde  iron-works  in  Scotland  may  be  instanced. 

"  During  the  first  six  months  of  the  year  1833,  when  all  these  changes  had  been 
fully  brought  into  operation,  one  ton  of  cast-iron  was  made  by  means  of  2  tons  5£ 
cwt.  of  coal,  which  had  not  previously  to  be  converted  into  coke.  Adding  to  this  8 
cwt.  of  coal  for  heating,  we  have  2  tons  13£  cwt.  of  coal  required  to  make  a  ton  of 
iron ;  whereas  in  1829,  when  the  cold  blast  was  in  operation,  8  tons.l£  cwt.  of  coal 
had  to  be  used.  This  being  almost  exactly  three  times  as  much,  we  have  from  the 
change  of  the  cold  blast  to  the  hot,  combined  with  the  use  of  coal  instead  of  coke, 
three  times  as  much  iron  made  from  any  given  weight  of  splint  coal. 

"  During  the  three  successive  periods  that  have  been  specified,  the  same  blowing 
apparatus  was  in  use  ;  and  not  the  least  remarkable  effect  of  Mr.  NEILSON'S  inven- 
tion has  been  the  increased  efficacy  of  a  given  quantity  of  air  in  the  production  of 
iron.  The  furnaces  of  Clyde  iron-works,  which  were  at  first  three,  have  been  h> 


28 

In  order  to  do  full  justice  however,  to  the  yield  of  our  mines,  it 
requires  to  be  mentioned,  that  about  nine  hundred  tons  of  ore  go 
annually  from  the  Salisbury  Ore-hill  to  the  Ancram  iron-works  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  and  three  hundred  tons  of  Kent  ore  are  con- 
sumed by  the  forges  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ore-bed.  We  shall  be 
justified  therefore,  in  estimating  the  annual  product  in  cast-iron  from 
the  hematite  ores  of  the  State  at  four  thousand  five  hundred  tons. 

The  bog  iron-ore  has  from  an  early  period,  attracted  considerable 
attention  in  the  central  and  eastern  part  of  the  State.  It  was  for- 
merly dug  and  smelted  in  situations  where  it  has  long  since  ceased 
to  be  worked,  the  beds  then  known  having  been  exhausted  and  the 
ore  not  since  reproduced.  This  was  the  case  in  North  Haven  and 
Branford,  and  some  other  towns  bordering  the  Sound  in  the  south- 


creased  to  four,  and  the  blast-machinery  being  still  the  same,  the  following  were  the 
successive  weekly  products  of  iron  during  the  periods  already  named,  and  the  suc- 
cessive weekly  consumpt  of  fuel  put  in  the  furnace,  apart  from  what  was  used  in 
heating  the  blast : — 

Tons.  Tons.  Tons. 

In     1829,     from  3  furnaces,     111    Iron,  from    403     Coke,  from    888     Coal. 
1830,      "      3          "  162       "       «         376        "         "        836       " 

1833,       "      4          "  245       "       "  "         554       " 

"  Comparing  the  product  of  1829  with  the  product  of  1833,  it  will  be  observed 
that  the  blast,  in  consequence  of  being  heated,  has  reduced  more  than  double  the 
quantity  of  iron.  The  fuel  consumed  in  these  two  periods,  we  cannot  compare  ; 
since  in  the  former,  coke  was  burned  and  in  the  latter,  coal.  But  on  comparing  the 
consumpt  of  coke  in  the  years  1829  and  1830,  we  find  that  although  the  product 
of  iron  in  the  latter  period  was  increased,  yet  the  consumpt  of  coke  was  rather  di- 
minished. Hence  the  increased  efficacy  of  the  blast  appears  to  be  not  greater  than 
was  to  be  expected,  from  the  diminished  fuel  that  had  become  necessary  to  smelt  a 
given  quantity  of  iron.  On  the  whole  then,  the  application  of  the  hot  blast  has  caused 
the  same  fuel  to  reduce  three  times  as  much  iron  as  before,  and  the  same  blast  twice 
as  much  as  before.  The  proportion  of  the  flux  required  to  reduce  a  given  weight 
of  the  ore  has  also  been  diminished." 

"In  Scotland,  Mr.  NEILSON'S  invention  has  been  extensively  applied  to  the  ma- 
king of  cast-iron,  insomuch  that  there  is  only  one  Scotch  iron-work  where  the  inven- 
tion is  not  in  use ;  and  in  that  work,  apparatus  is  under  construction  to  put  the  inven- 
tion into  operation." — (On  the  application  of  the  Hot  Blast,  in  the  manufacture  of 
Cast  Iron,  by  THOMAS  CLARK,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  Marishal  Col- 
lege, Aberdeen.  Transactions  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Edinburgh,  Vol.  xiii,  p.  373.) 
For  additional  details  respecting  this  improvement,  see  a  treatise  "  on  the  use  of  hot 
air  in  the  iron- works  of  England  and  Scotland,  translated  from  a  report  made  to  the 
Director  General  of  mines  in  France,  by  M.  DUFRENOY,  in  1834.  London.  Mur- 
ray. 1836. 


29 

eastern  part  of  the  State.  The  region  however,  that  now  affords 
supplies  to  two  considerable  furnaces,  one  in  Stafford,  the  other  in 
Hebron,  may  be  defined  as  consisting  of  all  that  part  of  the  State, 
lying  to  the  north  and  northeast  of  Colchester.  The  parent  rock 
of  this  ore  is  a  pyritiferous  gneiss,  which  is  an  extensive  formation 
in  the  northern  part  of  New  London,  Tolland,  and  Windham  coun- 
ties (966),  and  even  spreads  over  much  of  the  western  and  central 
part  of  the  county  of  Worcester,  in  Massachusetts.  The  towns  in 
which  it  appears  to  have  been  the  most  abundantly  developed  are 
the  following :  Colchester,  Hebron,  Tolland,  Willington,  Westford 
(in  Ashford),  Stafford,  Union,  and  Woodstock.  The  deposits  pre- 
sent obvious  differences,  attributable  to  the  periods  in  which  they 
were  formed.  The  ore  at  present  dug  near  the  village  of  Colches- 
ter (554),  appears  long  since  to  have  ceased  in  its  accumulation, 
and  bears  marks  of  having  been  chiefly  deposited  anterior  to  vegeta- 
ble deposits.  It  forms  a  thin  stratum  reposing  directly  upon  the 
diluvium,  and  appears  to  be  almost  wholly  wanting  in  vegetable 
reliquia3.  Above  it,  is  a  black  mould  or  soil  of  one  or  two  feet 
in  thickness.  The  beds  in  Tolland,  Woodstock,  and  other  places, 
often  embrace  vegetable  remains,  and  the  depositions  in  some  situa- 
tions are  said  to  undergo  a  renewal  in  ten  or  fifteen  years.  A  va- 
riety found  one  mile  north  of  Black  pond  in  Woodstock,  presents 
surfaces  when  it  has  been  exposed  to  the  weather,  having  a  fine  sili- 
ceous coating  (556)  in  the  form  of  threads,  and  apparently  due  to 
the  siliceous  skeletons  of  sedge  grass,  with  which  family  of  plants 
the  adjacent  swamp  abounds.  The  ore  is  throughout  traversed  by 
these  filaments,  which  are  rendered  apparent  by  exposure  to  the 
weather.  One  pit  at  this  place  yielded  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons 
of  ore.  The  proprietor  obtains  one  dollar  per  ton  for  the  ore  as  it 
lies  in  the  bed.  One  hand  is  able  to  dig  six  tons  in  a  day.  It  is 
more  usual  however,  for  the  owners  of  the  furnaces  to  contract  for 
entire  beds,  rather  than  to  purchase  the  ore  by  the  ton  delivered  at 
their  works.  The  most  accessible  beds  in  Stafford  have  been  ex- 
hausted ;  but  the  towns  of  Union,  Woodstock,  Willington,  and  Tol- 
land, will  be  able  to  furnish  ore  for  a  long  period  to  come.  The 
iron-works  at  Stafford  produce  three  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  cast- 
ings, yearly.  A  part  of  the  ore  employed  however,  comes  from  the 
neighboring  towns  of  Massachusetts.  The  newly  erected  furnace  in 


30 

Hebron,  is  at  present  chiefly  supplied  with  ore  from  Colchester. 
Considering  the  wide  extent  of  the  ferruginous  gneiss,  and  the  abun- 
dant indication  of  iron  in  the  color  of  the  soil  and  the  rusty  pellicles 
on  the  surface  of  springs,  we  can  with  difficulty  apprehend  the  speedy 
failure  of  this  convenient  mineral  resource  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
above  specified  region. 

Spathic  Iron. — This  invaluable  ore,  of  which  Connecticut  appears 
to  possess  the  most  remarkable  mine  in  the  United  States,  will  jus- 
tify a  more  particular  and  detailed  notice  in  this  report  from  the 
fact,  that  it  has  been  overlooked  as  an  iron-ore  with  us  nearly  to  the 
present  time,  and  still  remains  in  a  neglected  slate.  The  mine  was 
discovered  at  a  very  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  State ;  and 
the  abundance  and  peculiar  properties  of  the  ore  excited  a  high  de- 
gree of  curiosity  and  expectation.  Numerous  attempts  were  made 
to  work  it  as  a  silver-mine,  and  immense  sums  expended  without 
exciting  even  a  suspicion  of  its  value  for  iron. 

Spathic  iron  is  one  of  the  most  disguised  of  all  the  ores  of  iron, 
possessed  of  economical  value.  Its  high  specific  gravity,  added  to 
Che  development  of  iron-rust  occasioned  by  exposure  to  the  weather, 
are  the  only  properties  by  which  its  ferruginous  character  is  generally 
•detected.  Its  name  of  spathic  (or  sparry)  iron  was  bestowed  in 
allusion  to  its  brilliant  and  easily  effected  cleavages  in  three  direc- 
tions, and  which  result  in  rhombic  fragments  of  constant  dimensions. 
Its  hardness  is  greater  than  that  of  calcareous  spar  ;  and  its  color 
when  freshly  taken  from  its  repositories  is  a  light  yellowish  gray 
(357),  which  passes  however  by  exposure  to  the  air,  to  a  reddish 
brown  (358).  It  is  composed  of  protoxide  of  iron  from  57  to  60 
p.  c.,  carbonic  acid  34  to  36  p.  c.,  with  a  proportion  of  manganese 
from  0-5  to  1-5,  and  about  the  same  quantity  of  lime  and  magnesia. 
The  lime  and  magnesia  however,  are  liable  to  slight  variations  in 
their  proportions. 

The  spathic  iron-mine  in  question  occurs  in  a  mountain  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height,  situated  on  the  western  bank 
of  Shepaug  river  in  Roxbury,  about  four  miles  above  its  junction 
with  the  Housatonic.  The  mountain  is  known  in  the  vicinity  by  the 
name  of  Mine-hill.  The  rock  of  which  it  is  composed  is,  for  the 
most  part,  concealed  by  a  soil  supporting  a  fine  growth  of  hard  wood. 
Wherever  the  rock  makes  its  appearance  however,  it  exhibits  a  re- 


31 

markable  uniformity  in  character  and  arrangement.  The  direction 
of  the  strata  is  nearly  N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  with  a  dip  of  25  or  30°  to 
the  northwest.  The  ore  occupies  a  perpendicular  vein  from  six  to 
eight  feet  in  width,  cutting  directly  across  the  strata ;  and  has  been 
detected  at  numerous  places  from  the  base  of  the  hill  near  the  banks 
of  the  river,  quite  to  its  summit,  a  distance  of  above  half  a  mile.* 
The  course  and  width  of  the  vein  wherever  exposed,  appear  uniform. 
The  vein-stone,  or  gangue  of  the  ore,  is  white  quartz,  which  fre- 
quently preponderates  in  bulk  over  the  ore.  No  other  substances 
deserve  to  be  mentioned  as  entering  into  the  composition  of  this  very 
remarkable  vein, — minute  portions  of  iron-pyrites,  yellow  copper-py- 
rites, galena  and  blende,  being  the  only  foreign  substances  present, 
and  as  these  occur  principally  near  the  summit  where  the  most  exten- 
sive explorations  were  made  for  silver,  it  is  altogether  likely  that 
the  blende  was  the  principal  object  of  search. f 

Whoever  examines  this  vein  must  be  convinced  of  the  abundance 
of  the  ore,  as  well  as  struck  with  the  facility  of  its  situation  for  be- 


*  Two  other  quartz-veins,  one  north  and  the  other  south  of  this  vein,  have  been 
observed.  The  most  southerly  vein  has  been  examined  in  two  places  and  discovers 
traces  of  spathic  iron :  it  may  yield  when  thoroughly  opened,  a  sufficient  quantity 
to  justify  exploration.  It  is  situated  about  one  hundred  rods  from  the  great  vein. 

t  The  first  digging  at  this  place  was  made  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century 
by  Hurlbut  &  Hawley,  but  the  history  of  their  operations  is  nearly  lost.  The  se- 
cond company,  organized  by  the  Messrs.  Bronsons  (brothers)  near  the  year  1760, 
prosecuted  the  enterprise  with  much  spirit.  They  sunk  a  shaft  into  the  vein  near 
the  top  of  the  mountain,  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  deep,  besides  carrying 
down  another  of  considerable  depth  for  the  ventilation  of  the  first.  The  working 
was  conducted  under  the  direction  of  a  German  goldsmith,  who  carried  on  his  pro- 
cesses of  pretended  separation  and  refining  with  great  secrecy.  It  is  said,  that  he 
produced  occasionally  small  quantities  of  silver,  which  kept  alive  the  hopes  of  his 
employers.  Thus  the  undertaking  went  forward  for  several  years,  until  the  means 
of  the  company  were  wholly  exhausted.  The  result  of  this  experiment  might  in 
all  probability  have  put  the  working  of  the  mine  for  silver  completely  at  rest,  except 
for  a  circumstance  which  occurred  connected  with  the  departure  of  the  German. 
When  he  left  the  mountain,  he  was  assisted  by  a  slave  in  removing  a  number  of  very 
heavy  boxes,  one  of  which  accidentally  falling  to  the  ground,  burst  open  and  re- 
vealed to  the  eyes  of  the  negro  a  quantity  of  bars,  which  he  described  as  having  the 
appearance  of  silver.  The  agent  was  now  suspected  to  have  carried  on  the  work- 
ing of  the  mine  fraudulently,  and  to  have  caused  its  products  to  be  surreptitiously 
conveyed  out  of  the  country  for  his  private  advantage ;  consequently,  the  mine 
again  acquired  the  character  of  a  valuable  deposit  of  silver.  A  new  company  was 
organized  in  the  city  of  New  York,  who  took  a  lease  of  the  property  for  forty-three 


32 

ing  wrought.  The  expense  to  be  incurred  in  raising  it  from  its  re- 
pository and  in  its  delivery  upon  the  banks  of  the  Shepaug,  where 
the  necessary  water-power  is  afforded  for  carrying  on  extensive 
iron-works,  must  be  comparatively  trifling  ;  while  an  abundant  supply 
of  hard  wood  is  at  hand  for  fuel,  and  a  land-carriage  of  four  miles 
would  connect  the  works  with  the  navigable  waters  of  the  Hou- 
satonic. 

The  spathic  iron  being  an  ore  of  such  unusual  appearance,  and 
no  where  wrought  in  the  United  States,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the 
remarkable  deposit  here  alluded  to,  has  so  long  been  treated  with 
neglect.  Public  attention  however,  can  in  no  way  perhaps  be  bet- 
ter excited  towards  so  valuable  a  resource  than  by  making  known 
its  extensive  use  in  other  countries,  and  by  pointing  out  a  few  of  the 
leading  facts  connected  with  its  conversion  into  steel.  It  furnishes 
almost  exclusively  the  well  known  German  steel,  so  largely  manu- 
factured in  the  Austrian  dominions.  Thus  in  the  Tyrol,  the  annual 
produce  is  two  thousand  quintals,  and  in  Carinthia  seventy  thousand. 

years.  They  commenced  operations  on  a  much  wider  scale,  and  have  left  behind 
the  proofs  of  a  very  heavy  expenditure.  The  excavations  made  by  this  company, 
exhibit  more  science  in  the  working  of  mines.  They  descended  the  mountain  to- 
wards the  river  in  the  direction  of  the  vein,  removing  at  intervals  the  accumulations 
of  soil  and  loose  rocks  which  conceal  it  throughout  its  whole  distance,  until  they 
reached  halfway  to  the  base  of  the  mountain,  when  they  commenced  carrying  in 
a  level  having  the  full  width  of  the  vein,  and  which  is  said  to  have  been  prosecuted 
to  the  distance  of  twenty  rods.  The  result  of  this  enterprise  was  equally  unpropi- 
tious  with  the  former  one,  though  not  sufficiently  discouraging  to  lead  to  the  final 
abandonment  of  the  project.  Still  another  company  was  formed,  consisting  chiefly 
of  persons  living  in  Goshen,  who  recommenced  the  diggings  at  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain, and  persevered  in  the  undertaking  until  the  failure  of  several  of  the  stock- 
holders compelled  them  to  relinquish  it.  The  last  working  of  the  mine  for  silver 
was  by  Mr.  BACON,  an  extensive  landholder  in  that  neighborhood.  It  finally  began 
to  attract  attention  as  an  iron-mine,  and  considerable  quantities  of  the  ore  raised  by 
the  different  companies  were  carried  to  Kent,  and  there  reduced  along  with  the  he- 
matite of  that  place,  with  which  it  is  said  to  have  formed  a  very  tough  and  excellent 
iron.  An  unskillful  attempt  was  afterwards  made  to  reduce  the  spathic  iron  by  itself 
in  a  furnace  at  no  great  distance  from  the  mine,  which  proving  unsuccessful,  no  far- 
ther notice  has  been  taken  of  the  ore.  The  present  proprietor  of  this  mine,  Mr. 
DAVID  J.  STILES  of  Southbury,  procured  a  sample  of  pig-iron  obtained  during  the 
jast  mentioned  trial,  and  caused  it  to  be  forged  into  steel  under  his  own  inspection, 
by  an  experienced  iron-master  in  Salisbury.  The  operation  was  attended  with  great 
facility  ;  and  a  variety  of  cutting  instruments  were  manufactured  from  the  steel, 
all  of  which  proved  of  excellent  quality. 


33 

In  Stiria,  at  Vordernberg,  fourteen  high  furnaces  are  in  constant  use  in 
reducing  this  ore,  and  four  others  at  Eisenertz.  They  are  supplied 
from  a  mountain  two  thousand  feet  in  height,  composed  entirely  of 
spathic  iron.  The  ore  is  conveyed  to  the  furnaces  on  rail-ways, 
some  of  which  are  from  three  to  five  leagues  in  length.  The  an- 
nual produce  of  soft  iron  and  steel  from  this  vicinity,  is  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  quintals.  The  cast-iron  is  afforded  at  the 
low  price  of  from  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  to  one  dollar  and  a  half 
per  quintal,  and  the  steel  at  four  dollars  per  quintal.  The  steel  is 
fabricated  into  sythes  and  other  articles  of  coarse  cutlery,  and  is 
exported  in  bars.  Twelve  hundred  men  are  employed  in  the  steel- 
works of  the  two  last  mentioned  places.  Spathic  iron  is  also  largely 
explored  at  Allevard  near  Grenoble  in  France,  and  in  various  other 
places  in  Europe. 

The  following  is  an  outline  of  the  most  approved  method  at  pres- 
ent practiced  in  the  management  of  this  ore.  It  is  treated  in  high 
furnaces  like  hematite,  without  any  other"  flux  than  the  quartz  with 
which  it  is  generally  found  associated.  The  cast-iron  which  it  yields, 
is  remarkable  for  its  white  color,  and  lamellar  or  foliated  texture.  It 
is  refined  or  converted  into  steel  in  forges,  similar  in  many  respects 
to  those  used  for  making  bar-iron.  The  hearth  or  crucible  for  the 
reception  of  the  fuel  and  the  pig-iron,  is  formed  by  several  cast-iron 
plates,  having  a  bottom  or  sole,  of  refractory  sandstone.  The  chim- 
ney is  twenty-seven  feet  in  elevation  from  the  level  of  the  ground,  with 
a  cavity  twenty-eight  inches  by  twenty-two.  The  blowing  apparatus 
is  pyramidal  in  form,  and  seven  feet  in  length.  The  diameter  of  the 
nozzle  is  not  large,  but  the  current  thrown  into  the  fire  is  strong. 
Consequently,  copper-bellows  are  preferable.  When  the  working 
of  the  forge  is  in  a  medium  state,  the  bellows  throw  into  the  crucible 
eighty-one  cubic  feet  of  air  in  a  minute,  under  a  pressure  of  one  and 
a  half  pounds  to  the  inch,  and  when  the  forge  is  in  its  highest  activity, 
the  same  quantity,  but  under  a  pressure  of  two  pounds.  So  impor- 
tant is  the  supply  of  a  strong  current  of  air  from  the  bellows,  that 
this  circumstance  alone  makes  a  difference  in  the  yield  of  the  steel 
from  the  pig-iron,  of  from  62  to  74  per  cent.  The  dimensions  of 
the  crucible  are  two  feet  six  inches  from  the  tweer  to  the  opposite 
side,  by  two  feet  eight  inches  in  depth.  Many  circumstances  rela- 
ting to  the  shape  of  the  crucible,  are  of  the  highest  importance ;  and 

5 


34 

must  be  learnt  from  the  plans  laid  down  in  the  treatises  on  metal- 
lurgy.* The  operation  of  refining  is  commenced  by  throwing  into 
the  crucible,  filled  with  charcoal,  half  a  cubic  foot  of  rich  cinders,  and 
upon  this  a  plate  of  cast-iron  of  the  weight  of  thirty  or  forty  pounds, 
— the  mass  being  sunk  about  three  inches  into  the  crucible,  and 
situated  against  the  side  opposite  the  tweer.  It  soon  begins  to  melt, 
and  sinks  into  the  fuel,  where  the  decarbonization  gradually  ensues. 
The  refiner  perceives  by  an  instrument  when  it  hardens,  or  has  come 
"  to  nature."  When  this  occurs,  it  will  form  a  plate  an  inch  thick 
on  the  sole  of  the  crucible.  He  then  adds  a  second  charge  precisely 
after  the  manner  of  the  first,  only  its  weight  is  seventy-five  or  eighty 
pounds.  When  this  mass  is  liquefied,  a  part  of  the  scoriae  is  run  off, 
to  facilitate  which,  small  portions  of  clay  are  sometimes  added.  The 
metal  of  the  second  charge  completely  dissolves  that  of  the  first, 
when  they  are  in  the  right  proportions  to  each  other.  It  requires 
half  an  hour  to  dissolve  the  first  mass,  and  half  or  three  quarters  of 
an  hour  longer  for  the  liquefaction  of  both  masses.  A  third  mass 
(of  the  same  weight  as  the  second)  is  added  on  the  coagulation  of 
the  previous  charges.  This  induces  a  fusion  of  the  whole  in  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour.  A  fourth  mass  of  sixty  or  sixty-five  pounds  on  be- 
ing added  does  not  wholly  redissolve  the  previous  additions.  At  this 
period  of  the  process,  an  iron  is  thrust  into  the  crucible,  and  the 
steely  mass  is  withdrawn ;  and  by  the  appearance  it  presents,  the 
workman  judges  of  what  is  requisite  to  complete  the  operation.  The 
loup  of  steel  is  now  almost  entirely  formed.  The  fifth  mass  (weigh- 
ing forty  or  forty-five  pounds)  is  melted  like  the  others;  after  three 
quarters  of  an  hour,  it  coagulates  to  the  consistence  of  butter.  The 
sixth  charge  of  thirty  pounds  is  put  into  the  crucible  as  the  loup  with 
its  cinders  is  partially  withdrawn ;  it  melts  and  forms  a  hole  in  the 
main  mass.  The  seventh  and  last  mass  of  the  same  size  is  added 
in  a  similar  manner,  which  brings  the  loup  in  the  crucible  to  a  level 
with  the  mouth  of  the  tweer.  When  the  last  addition  is  refined,  the 
loup  is  taken  to  the  anvil  and  divided  into  eight  or  ten  wedge  shaped 
pieces,  a  process  which  is  easily  effected.  The  mass  is  thought  to 
be  perfectly  refined,  if  when  withdrawn  from  the  crucible,  its  lower 
part  exhibits  a  white  heat.  The  loup  is  ordinarily  of  four  hundred 

*  See  Archives  de  M.  KARSTEN,  t.  18,  p.  332—397. 


35 

pounds  weight,  of  which  one  forge  makes  three  in  twenty-four  hours. 
But  the  rapidity  of  the  process  depends  much  upon  the  nature  of  the 
pig-iron  employed.  The  steel  forms  much  more  rapidly  if  it  be 
produced  from  a  mixture  of  two  thirds  spathic  iron  with  one  third 
brown  hematite  (limonite),  but  the  steel  is  not  so  good.  It  is  com- 
mon however,  in  some  forges  to  employ  two  masses  out  of  the  seven 
of  this  kind  of  cast-iron,  and  which,  instead  of  being  lamellar  and 
white,  is  somewhat  fibrous  and  gray.  These  two  pieces,  moreover, 
are  the  first  that  are  added  to  form  the  loup. 

But  notwithstanding  the  principal  details  of  this  art  are  to  be  found 
in  the  source  above  indicated,  it  is  yet  necessary  to  observe  that  no 
branch  of  iron-making  stands  more  in  need  of  the  services  of  work- 
men experienced  in  the  business  than  the  present.  The  fabrication 
of  steel  is  yet  almost  wholly  an  empirical  art,  in  the  practice  of  which 
the  workman  finds  for  each  peculiarity  or  accident  which  occurs,  a 
remedy,  or  mode  of  precedure,  suggested  by  tact  and  experience 
only ;  and  hence  no  attempt  to  establish  this  nice  manufacture  with 
us,  ought  to  be  made,  without  securing  the  assistance  of  European 
workmen  of  approved  skill. 

The  ores  of  iron  enumerated,  are  all  that  we  appear  to  possess, 
which  are  capable  of  being  turned  to  account  in  the  manufacture  of 
iron, — specular  iron  not  being  found  with  us  in  sufficient  quantity  to 
be  deserving  of  economical  notice  :  it  was  merely  detected  at  a  few 
spots  and  mostly  in  the  eastern  parts  of  the  State  (545,  546). 

Unsuccessful  attempts  have  indeed  been  made  to  explore  a  highly 
ferruginous  hornblende  both  in  Weston  and  Litchfield  as  an  iron-ore  ; 
and  at  the  former  of  these  places  many  years  since,  a  small  portion  of 
this  mineral  was  actually  smelted  and  from  it  metallic  iron  obtained. 
But  although  this  rock  has  in  some  countries  occasionally  been 
worked  as  an  iron-ore,  there  can  be  no  question  that  it  would  prove 
unprofitable  to  pursue  it  here  in  the  present  abundance  of  better  ores 
and  the  low  state  of  metallurgic  skill.  The  locality  of  Weston  is 
about  one  mile  north  of  Sandford's  mills.  The  rock  (110)  forms 
large  beds  in  connection  with  gneiss  and  mica-slate.  It  separates 
by  means  of  three  sets  of  cleavages  into  large  rhomboidal  fragments, 
whose  surfaces  when  exposed  to  the  weather  present  a  pitted  or  cor- 
roded appearance  ;  and  when  struck  with  a  hammer,  it  resounds  with 
a  metallic,  ringing  noise.  To  this  circumstance  and  the  high  specific 


36 

gravity  of  the  rock,  are  no  doubt  owing  the  impression  of  its  value 
as  an  iron-ore.  The  other  locality  is  near  Bradleysville  in  Litchfield. 
It  was  explored  very  slightly  eight  or  ten  years  ago  by  Mr.  E.  HOR- 
TON.  It  contains  small  portions  of  magnetic  iron-pyrites  (460),  but 
in  other  respects  resembles  the  variety  just  described. 

The  remaining  ores  of  iron  to  be  mentioned,  though  valueless  as 
sources  of  metal,  are  nevertheless  of  considerable  importance  for  other 
purposes.  They  consist  of  three  species,  Iron- Pyrites,  Magnetic 
Iron-Pyrites  and  Mispickel ;  the  last  will  be  noticed  under  arsenic. 

Iron-Pyrites. — This  is  one  of  the  most  widely  diffused  of  all  the 
ores  of  iron.  Few  rocks  or  formations  are  found  to  be  destitute  of 
it  in  a  greater  or  less  quantity,  when  examined  through  any  consid- 
erable extent.  Its  peculiar  yellow  color,  bright  metallic  lustre,  taken 
with  its  considerable  hardness  and  the  very  common  cubic  form  of 
its  crystals,  serve  to  render  it  easy  of  recognition.  It  consists  of  iron 
46  and  sulphur  54.  But  notwithstanding  the  large  proportion  of 
iron,  its  mineralization  by  sulphur  unfits  it  for  reduction  to  the  me- 
tallic state ;  and  its  only  uses  are  to  afford  sulphur,  sulphuric  acid, 
sulphate  of  iron  and  alum.  It  is  thus  employed  in  Germany  on  a 
very  extensive  scale.  Large  earthern  retorts  are  charged  with  the 
ore,  and  heat  is  applied  until  about  17  p.  c.  of  the  sulphur  is  distilled 
over,  and  which  is  condensed  in  suitable  chambers.  What  remains 
behind  is  thrown  into  heaps  on  floors  covered  with  clay  and  sur- 
rounded with  raised  edges  of  the  same  material,  and  in  this  situation 
is  exposed  to  the  weather, — water  being  added  from  time  to  time 
to  dissolve  out  the  copperas  formed,.  The  solution  thus  obtained  is 
evaporated  to  a  proper  degree  of  concentration,  and  suffered  to  crys- 
tallize in  wooden  vats  if  copperas  be  the  object,  or  evaporated  down 
and  distilled  to  dryness  if  sulphuric  acid  be  the  product  desired. 
The  solid  residuum  in  the  latter  case  is  a  red  powder,  used  as  a  pig- 
ment in  the  arts  under  the  name  of  colcothar,  and  which  is  either  a 
a  pure  peroxide  of  iron  or  a  mixture  of  persulphate  and  peroxide, 
according  to  the  intensity  of  heat  applied  in  the  process.  When  the 
ore  under  consideration  is  diffused  through  an  argillite,  its  sponta- 
neous decomposition  gives  rise,  with  addition  of  ammonia  or  potassa, 
to  the  formation  of  alum  as  well  as  of  copperas.  Iron-pyrites  is  the 
frequent  attendant  of  gold, — the  precious  metal  existing  interspersed 
through  the  pyrites  often  in  a  proportion  no  greater  than  one  five 


37 

thousandth  of  its  weight.  This  variety,  called  the  auriferous  iron- 
pyrites,  can  sometimes  be  detected  by  its  peculiar  golden  color,  as 
well  as  from  its  unusual  tendency  to  suffer  decomposition. 

Allusion  will  only  be  made  to  those  localities  of  this  ore  which 
seem  likely  to  lead  to  such  discoveries,  as  may  prove  useful  in  some 
one  or  other  of  the  ways  above  mentioned  ;  for  though  its  wide  and 
almost  universal  diffusion  through  all  our  rocks,  with  the  exception 
of  the  sandstone  conglomerates,  is  continually  giving  rise  to  deposits 
of  bog  iron-ore  and  frequently  yields  an  essential  ingredient  in  form- 
ing soils  suited  to  vegetation,*  still  these  uses  demand  no  formal  no- 
tice in  this  report. 

No  deposit  of  iron-pyrites  alone,  has^yet  been  found  of  sufficient 
extent  to  justify  either  of  the  manufactures  above  alluded  to,  nor  has 
any  of  this  ore  been  detected  including  appreciable  traces  of  gold 
in  Connecticut.  A  few  of  the  most  promising  districts  in  which  lo 
search  for  such  ores  however,  require  to  be  indicated.  A  place  called 
Brimstone-ledge,  a  little  east  of  North  Madison  meeting-house,  pre- 
sents favorable  indications  of  this  ore  (575)  along  with  magnetic  iron- 
pyrites.  A  considerable  vein  of  quartz  was  observed  to  contain  it 
(568)  in  the  vicinity  of  the  coal-digging  at  Newtown,  both  in  a  crys- 
tallized and  massive  state.  The  plumbaginous  mica-slate  thrown 
out  from  the  excavations  for  coal  embrace  thin  films  of  the  same  sub- 
stance (151).  Considerable  pits  were  formerly  sunk  in  Winchester,  on 
the  land  of  Capt.  SMITH,  and  among  the  refuse  thrown  out,  traces  of 
iron-pyrites  are  observed.  This  is  probably  the  substance  which  led 
to  the  enterprise,  but  in  what  quantity  it  exists  it  is  impossible  from 
present  appearances  to  say.  The  stone  quarries  on  Connecticut  river, 
opposite  to  Haddam,  embrace  beds  of  micaceous  gneiss,  which  are 
occasionally  rich  in  iron-pyrites,  chiefly  however  belonging  to  the 
species,  white  iron-pyrites.  It  occurs  associated  with  tourmaline  and 
a  variety  of  hornblende,  known  under  the  name  of  anthophyllite.  At 
a  digging  for  coal  in  Windsor  near  Pequonnoc,  a  fissile  shale  (279) 
is  abundant,  containing  between  its  layers  radiating  lamina  of  iron- 
pyrites.  It  is  a  rock  sufficiently  analogous  to  the  true  alum-slate,  to 
invite  attention  to  the  pyritiferous. slates  of  the  sandstone  formation. 


*  The  existence  of  iron-pyrites  in  a  soil  containing  lime,  leads  to  the  formation  of 
gypsum. 


38 

Some  indications  of  the  auriferous  variety  were  noticed  in  the  chlo- 
rite-slate  formation  of  Orange.  A  decomposing  iron-pyrites,  in  cu- 
bical crystals,  with  dull  brown  surfaces,  was  frequently  observed  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Savin-rock;  and  an  ochre,  rarely  embracing 
portions  of  undecomposed  ore,  occurred  disseminated  through  a 
quartz-vein  several  feet  in  width,  in  the  central  part  of  the  town  at 
Lambert's  mine.  Specimens  from  both  these  places  were  care- 
fully subjected  to  washing  by  Mr.  FORREST  SHEPHERD,  as  well  as 
to  trials  in  the  humid  way,  without  leading  to  the  detection  of  gold. 
Still,  as  the  appearances  are  so  favorable  arising  out  of  the  aspect 
of  the  ore  and  the  coincidences  of  geological  formation,  the  prose- 
cution of  inquiries  in  this  vicinity  ought  to  be  continued,  if  not  for 
the  economical,  at  least  for  the  scientific  value  of  the  discovery. 

Iron-pyrites  in  very  insignificant  quantity  was  often  ascertained  to 
be  the  substance  upon  which  had  been  founded  the  idea  of  the  ex- 
istence of  valuable  mines.  It  had  thus  excited  attention  at  the  fol- 
lowing places : — on  land  of  Mr.  BOOTH  one  mile  west  of  Stratford, 
an  excavation  in  gneissoid  dolomite  near  the  lime-kiln  of  Mr.  P. 
CHAPMAN  in  Ridgefield,  bed  of  the  Housatonic  half  a  mile  south 
of  the  furnace  in  Kent  and  at  the  celebrated  silver-mine  of  Ashford.* 

Magnetic  Iron-Pyrites. — This  ore  is  easily  distinguished  from 
iron-pyrites,  by  its  almost  invariably  massive  structure  and  inferior 
hardness,  and  from  other  ores  by  the  same  properties  taken  with  its 
metallic  lustre  and  bronze-color.  Its  powder  is  a  dark  grayish  black, 
and  is  attracted  by  the  magnet.  It  consists  of  iron  about  60,  and 
sulphur  40.  It  is  less  widely  disseminated  than  iron-pyrites,  though 
it  sometimes  forms  powerful  beds  in  the  primitive  rocks.  Its  uses 
are  similar  to  those  of  the  preceding  species.  Three  remarkable 
localities  of  it  are  known  in  the  State,  which  exist  in  the  following 
towns,  Trumbull,  New  Fairfield  and  Litchfield. 

The  magnetic  iron-pyrites  in  the  first  mentioned  town  occurs, 
entering  into  the  composition  of  the  remarkable  topaz-vein  and  is  as- 


*  It  is  quite  probable,  that  the  exploration  made  about  seventy  years  ago  in  Corn- 
wall was  in  pursuit  of  this  ore,  together  with  the  magnetic  iron-pyrites  and  sphene, 
as  samples  of  these  substances  were  detected  among  the  fragments  at  present  lying 
about  the  excavations.  The  rock  is  hornblcndic  gneiss,  and  contains  partial  veins 
and  seams  of  quartz,  through  which  are  disseminated  pyroxene,  feldspar,  and  the 
minerals  just  enumerated  (535). 


39 

sociated  with  fluor,  and  small  quantities  of  yellow  copper-pyrites, 
and  common  iron-pyrites.  These  minerals  together,  form  a  vein 
from  ten  to  eighteen  inches  in  width,  with  sides  of  massive  fluor,  cut- 
ting across  a  micaceous  limestone.  The  ore  at  this  place  (574)  is 
the  foliated  or  cleavable  variety,  precisely  analogous  to  that  of  the 
celebrated  deposit  in  Bodenmais,  Bavaria ;  and  although  it  does  not 
perhaps  occur  in  sufficient  quantity  to  justify  exploration  on  its  own 
account,  still  should  the  other  ingredients  of  the  vein  which  are  val- 
uable, come  to  be  explored,  it  may  yet  be  found  of  some  conse- 
quence for  the  manufacture  of  copperas. 

The  locality  in  New  Fairfield  is  near  the  line  of  Brookfield,  on 
the  land  of  Mr.  H.  M.  KELLOGG.  It  is  situated  on  a  rise  of  land 
about  sixty  feet  high,  at  the  eastern  edge  of  an  extended  swamp, 
on  Rocky  river.  Wherever  the  rock  breaks  through  the  soil,  it 
shows  itself  to  be  a  decomposing  pyritiferous  gneiss.  It  has  been 
blasted  to  the  depth  of  several  feet  in  one  spot  on  the  top  of  the 
hill,  and  about  half  a  ton  of  the  ore  was  manufactured  during  the 
late  war  into  copperas  by  the  Messrs.  TOMLINSONS  of  Brookfield, 
by  whom  it  was  found  to  yield  about  its  own  weight  of  this  salt. 
The  excavation  made  would  indicate  that  the  rock  is  every  where 
more  or  less  penetrated  by  the  ore  ;  while  it  also  discovers  a  seam 
or  stratum  nearly  a  foot  in  width  almost  wholly  composed  of  this 
substance, — the  only  other  ingredients  being  iron-pyrites  and  small 
greenish  grains  and  crystals  of  feldspar  (575). 

But  the  principal  region  for  magnetic  iron-pyrites  is  Prospect  hill, 
in  the  western  part  of  Litchfield.  It  forms  an  occasional  ingredient 
in  the  constitution  of  the  hornblendic  rocks  of  this  mountain,  and  very 
early  excited  the  notice  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity.  The  most 
favorable  place  for  viewing  the  ore  is  near  the  house  of  Mrs.  POT- 
TER. At  this  place,  an  excavation  fifteen  feet  deep  by  eight  wide 
and  high,  has  lately  been  carried  into  the  mountain  by  the  Phenix 
Mining  Company,  whose  object  was  a  flux  suited  to  their  copper 
ores  in  Granby.  A  part  of  the  pyrites  thrown  out  by  the  company 
still  remains  in  a  heap  atBradleysville,  from  the  examination  of  which, 
as  well  as  from  the  inspection  of  the  sides  of  the  adit,  it  is  apparent 
that  the  ore  forms  on  an  average,  nearly  one  half  of  the  bulk  of  the 
rock.  It  contains  traces  also  of  yellow  copper-pyrites  (573).  A 
fine  spring  of  water  issues  directly  from  the  excavation,  which  might 


40 

be  turned  to  a  valuable  account  in  the  establishment  of  a  copperas 
manufacture.  Abundance  of  hard  wood  is  also  close  at  hand.  Ap- 
pearances observed  elsewhere  on  the  mountain  also,  indicate  that  the 
supply  of  ore  will  be  found  abundant. 

The  same  pyrites  was  formerly  observed  in  small  quantities  in 
Reading  in  the  bed  of  Saugatuck  river,  on  land  owned  by  Mr.  Z. 
HULL.  An  examination  of  the  specimens  evinced,  that  it  was  of 
the  same  variety  as  that  found  in  New  Fairfield.  Another  locality  of 
this  species,  but  in  quantities  too  small  to  be  deserving  of  attention, 
has  led  within  a  few  years  to  an  expensive  excavation  in  Brookfield, 
on  the  land  of  Mr.  C.  HAWLEY.  A  shaft  has  here  been  carried 
down  to  the  depth  of  seventy  feet  in  a  quartzy  rock.  The  ore  is 
disseminated  in  threads  and  veins  (576)  through  this  gangue,  asso- 
ciated with  small  quantities  of  calcareous  spar,  tabular  spar,  sphene, 
pyroxene  and  hornblende.  The  object  in  view  in  this  undertaking, 
so  far  as  it  could  be  ascertained,  was  copper.  It  is  needless  to  add, 
that  all  expectations  of  profit  of  any  kind  from  this  place  must  prove 
wholly  fruitless.  The  same  remark  will  apply  to  an  excavation 
in  a  hornblendic  gneiss,  traversed  by  seams  of  epidote,  and  contain- 
ing traces  of  magnetic  iron-pyrites  (437),  which  has  lately  been 
made  in  the  northeast  part  of  Woodbury.  The  object  of  search  was 
gold.* 

COPPER. 

Several  ores  of  copper  are  known  to  exist  in  Connecticut,  and  ex- 
tensive mining  operations  have  been  conducted  with  a  view  to  this 
metal ;  but  it  still  remains  a  matter  of  uncertainty,  whether  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  copper  has  been  realized  to  reimburse  the  expen- 
ditures thus  far  made,  although  the  indications  are  highly  favorable  to 
the  existence  of  valuable  mines  in  the  State.  The  ores  will  be  treat- 
ed of  in  the  following  order  :  native  copper,  vitreous  copper,  variega- 
ted copper,  yellow  copper-pyrites,  green  malachite,  blue  malachite. 

Native  Copper. — This  species,  when  unmixed  with  other  ores 
and  earthy  minerals,  precisely  resembles  the  melted  copper  of  com- 
merce. It  is  found  in  narrow  seams,  plates,  threads  and  arborescent 


*  An  iron-ore  on  Eggleston  hill  in  Newfield,  Torrington,  is  reported  to  have  been 
examined  twenty  years  ago  with  a  view  to  working,  but  was  found  to  contain  too 
much'sulphur.  It  is  possible  that  it  belongs  to  the  present  species. 


41 


masses,  disseminated  through  various  rocks,  as  well  as  in  water-worn 
fragments  loose  in  the  soil.  Thus  far  in  Connecticut,  it  has  princi- 
pally been  found  in  the  secondary  region,  where  it  has  occurred 
either  engaged  in  trap  or  sandstone,  or  loose  in  the  soil.  A  mass 
weighing  ninety  pounds,  was  found  about  fifty  years  ago  in  Hamden. 
It  was  attached  to  a  rock  with  which  it  had  been  connected  by  me- 
tallic veins.  The  same  vicinity  has  afforded  a  number  of  samples, 
found  in  the  soil,  and  often  associated  with  red  copper-ore  and  va- 
riegated copper.  It  has  of  late  been  detected  in  the  trap  of  Farm- 
ington,  in  small  quantities.*  Although  considerable  deposits  of  it 
are  not  likely  to  be  brought  to  light,  yet  such  is  its  value,  that  the 
the  discovery  of  it  in  small  quantity,  if  attended  with  other  ores,  must 
prove  highly  important. 

Vitreous  Copper. — This  ore  has  a  blackish  lead-gray  color,  a  me- 
tallic lustre  and  a  foliated  or  granular  texture,  generally  approaching 
to  compact.  It  is  so  soft,  that  when  cut  with  a  knife  the  particles 
which  are  separated,  remain  upon  the  blade.  It  consists  of  copper 
80  and  sulphur  20,  with  a  trace  of  iron.  From  this  constitution  it 
is  obvious,  that  it  must  be  highly  prized  as  an  ore  of  copper.  As 
the  Sirnsbury  copper-mines  are  the  leading  repositories  of  this  ore, 
some  notice  of  them  is  required  in  this  place.  They  are  situated  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  Granby.-)-  The  rock  in  which  they 


*  But  one  locality  of  native  copper  is  known  in  the  primitive,  which  is  at  a  place 
called  Lambert's  mine  in  Orange.  It  is  here  found  in  a  narrow  quartz-vein,  inter- 
secting chloritic  trap,  associated  with  yellow  copper-pyrites  and  iron-pyrites.  Its 
quantity  however  is  extremely  minute,  the  sample§  requiring  to  be  immersed  in 
water  to  render  its  presence  perceptible. 

t  The  precise  date  at  which  these  mines  were  discovered  is  not  known.  Their 
charter  of  incorporation  is  one  of  the  most  ancient  conferred  in  the  colonies.  It  is 
dated  anno  regni  Anna  Reginee  septimo,  A.  D.  1709  ;  and  it  appears  from  the  va- 
rious acts,  passed  from  time  to  time  during  the  subsequent  forty  years  for  the  regu- 
lation of  the  mines,  that  they  must  have  been  wrought  at  this  period  with  consid- 
erable activity.  Whether  they  were  then  abandoned,  and  if  so,  from  what  causes* 
it  is  difficult  at  present  to  decide,  from  the  absence  of  all  public  documents  rela- 
tive to  its  regulation.  It  is  probable  that  the  enterprise  met  with  a  check  at  this 
time,  and  it  is  possible  that  it  might  have  been  owing  to  embarrassments  growing 
out  of  the  war  between  England  and  France  in  1744,  and  which  continued  four 
years ;  but  more  particularly  to  what  is  commonly  called  the  French  war,  that 
commenced  in  1754,  and  lasted  for  nineteen  years.  Not  many  years  after  the  con- 
clusion of  these  wars,  the  property  was  purchased  by  the  State  as  a  State's  prison, 

6 


42 

occur  is  a  fine  grained,  yellowish  gray  sandstone  (244)  of  a  peculiar 
character,  and  which  here  appears  to  prevail  through  an  extent  of  two 
or  three  square  miles.  The  ore  has  been  observed  at  several  places 
in  this  formation,  occurring  in  beds  of  greater  or  less  extent,  as  well 
as  in  nodules  and  strings.  The  main  working  is  commonly  known  by 
the  name  of  Newgale,  from  the  fact  that  the  ancient  excavations  at 
this  place  were  occupied  as  a  State's  prison  for  nearly  sixty  years. 
Another  mine  called  Higley,  is  situated  one  and  a  half  miles  to  the 
south  of  Newgate.  It  has  been  but  partially  opened,  but  evidently 
belongs  to  the  metalliferous  formation  above  described.  The  ore  at 
Newgate  as  wrought  at  present,  is  disseminated  through  a  stratum  of 
the  sandstone  having  a  thickness  of  about  two  feet.  The  depth  from 
the  surface,  at  which  the  working  was  proceeding  in  1835,  was 
apparently  about  fifty  feet,  and  the  metalliferous  bed  dipped  east- 
ward 25°.  From  the  extent  and  shape  of  the  underground  ex- 
cavations it  was  obvious,  that  in  following  the  bed  downward  it  had 
formerly  been  much  thicker  in  particular  spots.  Levels  several  rods 
in  extent  had  also  been  carried  laterally,  both  north  and  south.  The 
frequent  bulgings,  or  enlargements  in  the  levels  are  encouraging, 
since  they  evince  the  liability  of  the  ore  to  become  more  abundant 
occasionally,  than  it  is  where  they  are  now  pursuing  it.  Other  pits 
have  been  sunk  in  the  vicinity  of  the  main  workings,  which  prove 
also  the  continuity  of  the  bed,  as  well  as  that  its  average  yield  is 
uniform. 

Respecting  the  richness  of  the  ore  (which  contains  variegated  cop- 
per and  green  malachite  in  small  quantities,  as  well  as  vitreous  copper,) 
(579),  i.  e.  its  proportion  to  the  associated  rock  when  picked  with  or- 
dinary care,  and  concerning  the  difficulty  of  smelting  it  arising  out  of 
the  nature  of  the  gangue,  it  must  be  admitted  that  we  do  not  possess 
information  enough  to  come  to  a  satisfactory  decision.  No  facts  re- 
lative to  the  produce  of  the  mine  during  its  early  history  can  now  be 
collected :  nor  would  they  be  deemed  conclusive  against  its  present 


with  the  intention  of  employing  the  prisoners  in  the  working  of  the  mine,  but  the 
plan  was  never  carried  into  effect,  though  it  continued  to  be  used  as  a  prison  for 
about  sixty  years.  On  its  relinquishment  for  this  use  the  State  sold  the  property  ta 
individuals,  who  became  organized  in  1830,  into  the  Phenix  Mining  Company. 
Under  their  direction  several  miners  have  been  until  very  lately  constantly  em- 
ployed, and  large  quantities  of  ore  have  been  raised. 


43 

value  in  case  it  should  be  shown  that  its  exploration  was  then  un- 
profitable, since  the  modern  improvements  in  mining  and  metallurgy 
have  rendered  the  working  of  numerous  mines  lucrative  of  late 
years,  which  during  the  last  century  were  abandoned  as  unworkable. 
From  a  variety  of  documents  published  by  the  Phenix  Mining  Com- 
pany in  1831  it  appears,  that  these  ores  afford  an  average  yield  con- 
siderably above  those  of  Cornwall,*  though  they  are  spoken  of  as 
rather  refractory  in  undergoing  reduction, — as  appears  to  be  the 
fact  also,  from  the  failure  of  the  company  in  their  late  attempts  at 
smelting  the  ore  at  the  mine,  notwithstanding  the  operation  was  con- 
ducted by  a  well  educated  German  metallurgist.  The  nature  of  the 


*  The  following  is  the  report  of  Mr.  JOHN  B.  JENKINS  of  Swansea,  of  his  trial 
made  in  1830,  upon  four  parcels  of  the  ore  : — 


cwt.      qrs. 
"No.  1,    wt.       4         1 

2,  42 

3,  41 

4,  4         2 


Ibs.  per  cent 

17        produce     13£         metal 
4  121 


4 

24 


41 


17 


21 


cwt.  qrs.  Ibs. 
025 
022 
0  0  21 

0  1       26 

1  2      26 


"  The  quality  of  the  copper  in  each  parcel  is  very  much  the  same,  and  may  be 
said  to  be  of  the  average  quality  of  English  copper;  but  their  smelting  qualities  are 
below  the  average,  being  rather  refractory.  The  expense  of  smelting  the  above 
ores,  per  ton  of  21  cwt.  will  be  for  No.  1,  £2  11  9;  No.  2,  £299;  No.  3,  £l  188; 
No.  4,  £2  8  0,  exclusive  of  all  custom-house  charges.  The  ores,  if  there  were  any 
quantity  of  them  now  for  sale,  would  bring  the  following  prices,  viz : — 


"  No.  1, 
2, 
3, 
4, 

Average, 


about 


At  the  present  rate  of  exchange,    $>44  84 

40  10 
14  08 
35  38 


£720 


$33  60 

"These  are  the  prices  as  near  as  I  can  judge  of  them,  or  as  much  as  a  smelter 
could  now  give  for  them  at  Swansea,  the  miners  to  pay  freight  to  this  place,  and  all 
expenses  of  ware-housing,  sampling,  &c.  &c." 

In  order  to  show  the  richness  of  these  ores  when  compared  with  those  of  Corn- 
wall, the  following  statement  of  the  produce  of  the  English  mines  for  three  years,  is 
subjoined  from  the  same  document. 

Years.  Tons  of  ore.  Tons  of  cop.  Rate  p.  c.  Value  per  ton.  Total  value. 

1815  79,984            6,607  7^  £6  13  0  £532,108  0  0 

1816  82,442            6,968  8  6  10  5  5  37,621  0  0 

1817  73,727            6,608  8^  6  11  6  410,936  0  0 


44 

difficulty  in  working  this  ore,  evidently  consists  in  the  excess  of 
quartz  with  which  it  is  associated.  For  although  quartz  is  the  chief 
flux  employed  in  the  smelting  of  such  ores,  yet  when  in  too  large 
quantity  as  here,  it  entirely  frustrates  the  recovery  of  the  metal.  Its 
use  consists  in  its  affinity  for  the  iron  of  the  copper-ore,  with  which 
metal,  if  in  the  right  proportion,  it  forms  a  light  fusible  slag,  which 
may  easily  be  drawn  off  from  the  heavy  subsulphuret  of  copper. 
But  if  more  silica  be  present  than  is  required  for  the  removal  of  the 
iron,  it  combines  with  the  copper  also,  to  form  an  irreducible  copper 
slag  (a  silicate  of  copper).  Should  it  prove  impossible  however,  to 
smelt  the  ore  in  this  country  from  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  other 
copper-ores  to  mingle  with  it,  it  may  still  be  profitable  to  work  the 
mines  and  export  the  ore  to  England.  Several  shipments  have  been 
made  by  the  company,  the  success  of  which  is  not  yet  made  known. 
The  ores  are  carried  to  New  Haven  by  the  canal,  a  route  which 
subjects  them  to  but  three  miles  of  land-carriage.  Taking  into  con- 
sideration the  very  promising  appearances  as  respects  the  quantity 
of  ore  existing  in  these  mines,  and  the  favorable  reports  obtained 
concerning  its  yield,  added  to  the  natural  facilities  of  location  for 
working,  it  cannot  be  doubted,  but  that  the  Simsbury  mines  are  yet 
destined  to  assume  considerable  importance  as  forming  part  of  the 
metallic  resources  of  the  State.  Should  the  copper-mine  at  Bristol, 
hereafter  to  be  described,  prove  to  be  an  important  deposit,  it  is  quite 
probable  that  the  ore  it  will  yield,  may  flux  successfully  along  with 
the  products  of  the  Newgate  mine.  This  is  a  consideration  for  the 
immediate  prosecution  of  the  enterprise,  which  has  been  commenced 
at  that  place  under  such  favorable  auspices.* 


*  Should  the  exploration  at  Bristol  prove  unsuccessful  however,  it  may  be  worthy 
of  consideration,  whether  the  Newgate  ore  would  not  admit  of  a  profitable  manufac- 
ture of  blue  vitriol,  at  least  of  the  double  salt  of  sulphate  of  copper  and  iron,  of  which 
there  is  a  great  consumption  in  the  arts.  It  is  prepared  in  Europe  by  subjecting  the 
ore  mingled  with  iron-pyrites,  to  a  moderate  roasting  and  afterwards  to  lixiviation. 
With  certain  ores,  the  process  is  aided  by  the  use  of  dilute  sulphuric  acid.  If  the 
object  be  to  separate  the  copper  from  the  iron  and  to  obtain  both  blue  vitriol  and 
copperas,  it  may  be  effected  by  precipitating  the  copper  from  the  hot,  concentrated 
solution  of  the  double  salt  by  means  of  old  iron.  The  cementation-copper  thus  ob- 
tained, may  then  be  mingled  with  flowers  of  sulphur  and  heated  in  a  reverbera- 
tory  furnace,  whereby  the  blue  vitriol  will  be  formed.  It  is  afterwards  dissolved 
by  water,  and  crystallized  for  the  purposes  of  commerce.  The  liquor  from  whence 
the  copper  was  obtained,  will  yield  on  evaporation,  crystals  of  copperas. 


45 

Traces  of  vitreous  copper  exist  at  Tallman's  mine  in  Hamclen, 
near  Mt.  Carmel.  It  is  associated  with  green  malachite  among  the 
rubbish  thrown  out  from  an  excavation  about  fifty  feet  deep,  where 
the  trap  forms  a  junction  with  the  sandstone  (367).  An  adit  was 
commenced  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  several  hundred  feet  distant,  and 
carried  in  above  one  hundred  feet  through  a  red  marly  sandstone 
(242),  with  a  view  to  strike  this  shaft.  It  is  impossible,  from  the 
present  condition  of  the  mine,  or  from  what  can  be  gathered  from 
those  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  enterprise,  to  make  any  sat- 
isfactory inference  concerning  the  productiveness  of  this  deposit. 

Another  locality  furnishing  this  ore  (271)  and  presenting  more 
promising  appearances,  is  situated  in  the  same  formation,  in  the 
southeast  part  of  Cheshire,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  E.  GAYLORD.  Two 
trenches  about  fifty  feet  long  and  fifteen  wide  and  deep,  have  here 
been  dug  in  sandstone  and  trap.  A  third  excavation  has  been  made 
about  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  this  last,  where  the  working  must 
formerly  have  been  quite  extensive.  It  was  commenced  in  1812, 
by  commissioners  appointed  by  the  King's  bench.  Tradition  says 
that  a  shaft  ninety  feet  deep  was  sunk,  and  of  a  size  sufficient  in 
two  places  to  receive  a  large  dwelling  house.  Two  ship-loads  of 
ore,  it  is  also  reported,  were  transmitted  at  this  period  to  England. 
Some  attempts  were  made  to  renew  the  enterprise  early  the  present 
century,  but  were  soon  abandoned.  The  mine  is  at  present  owned 
by  Mr.  AARON  BELLAMY  of  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  who  is  a  descendant 
of  the  individual  interested  in  the  first  exploration.  This  gentle- 
man, aided  by  a  company  in  Canada,  commenced  the  clearing  of 
the  mine  in  1836.  The  shaft  was  completely  occupied  by  tim- 
bers and  rubbish.  A  small  steam-engine  is  made  use  of  for  lift- 
ing out  the  water.  They  had  descended  about  twenty-five  feet  in 
August  last,  and  among  the  materials  brought  up,  good  vitreous 
copper  was  observed,  often  associated  with  heavy  spar,  and  occa- 
sionally in  distinct  crystals  (5786).  On  the  north  side  of  the  shaft, 
a  dyke  of  trap  is  visible,  having  the  width  of  three  feet,  in  contact 
with  which  the  ore  seems  to  occur.  The  intersected  sandstone  for 
several  feet  on  each  side,  is  more  or  less  stained  with  malachite. 

One  mile  west  of  Bellamy's  mine,  is  still  another  excavation  for 
the  same  species  of  ore.  The  examination  was  made  at  this  place 
only  a  few  years  ago.  An  irregular  trench  has  been  excavated  into 


46 

die  sandstone  to  the  depth  of  from  six  to  ten  feet,  and  for  an  extent 
of  about  forty  feet.  The  ore  was  found  intermingled  with  variegated 
copper  and  greeu  malachite,  and  disseminated  through  a  vein  of 
heavy  spar. 

A  number  of  rich  fragments  and  even  crystals  of  large  dimensions 
of  vitreous  copper,  have  lately  been  forwarded  for  examination  by 
Mr.  ISRAEL  COE  of  Wolcottville,  who  states  that  they  were  found 
about  two  miles  from  that  village  on  rather  an  elevated  ridge  of  land, 
among  the  rubbish  surrounding  an  excavation  made  by  an  English- 
man prior  to  the  revolutionary  war.  The  tradition  is,  that  the  ore 
obtained  was  taken  to  New  York  and  put  on  board  a  vessel  for  Eng- 
land, and  that  the  vessel  having  been  burnt,  the  enterprise  was  pur- 
sued no  farther.  Several  of  the  samples  are  attached  to  pieces  of 
quartz,  and  are  attended  by  small  quantities  of  green  malachite  and 
chrysocolla.  Variegated  copper  likewise  occurs  to  a  small  extent, 
blended  with  the  vitreous  copper.  Accompanying  the  specimens, 
were  also  sent  samples  of  yellow  copper-pyrites,  associated  with  iron- 
pyrites  in  quartz,  and  which  were  stated  to  have  been  found  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  excavation. 

In  concluding  the  account  of  the  species  of  copper  now  under 
consideration,  it  should  be  stated,  that  it  occurs  in  small  quantity  at 
the  Bristol  copper-mine,  intimately  associated  with  the  variegated 
copper  (5776). 

Variegated  Copper. — This  species  is  scarcely  superior  to  the 
vitreous  copper  in  hardness ;  it  has  a  metallic  lustre,  and  in  color  is 
intermediate  between  copper-red  and  pinchbeck-brown.  On  ex- 
posure to  the  air,  it  is  prone  to  assume  a  steel-colored  tarnish.  It  is 
usually  found  massive,  with  an  uneven  or  conchoidal  fracture.  Its 
composition  is,  copper  61,  sulphur  24  and  iron  14;  from  whence, 
it  is  obvious  that  it  is  a  valuable  ore.  A  most  promising  deposit  of 
this  species  has  lately  been  brought  to  light  in  the  north  part  of  the  town 
of  Bristol,  within  a  short  distance  of  the  secondary,  at  a  place  where 
partial  excavations  were  made  many  years  since  in  consequence  of 
the  abundant  cupreous  stains  in  the  strata.  The  rock  which  was 
visible  for  many  rods  along  a  slight  swell  of  ground  bordering  a  piece 
of  low,  wet  land,  was  a  micaceous  gneiss  (364),  a  soft  decomposing 
talcy  mica-slate,  and  a  decomposing  granite.  All  these  varieties 
were  more  or  less  penetrated  by  green,  pulverulent  malachite.  On 
removing  the  surface  for  a  few  feet,  traces  of  undecomposed  ore 


47 

were  detected  by  the  original  explorer,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantity 
to  lead  to  farther  examination.  The  place  was  therefore  suffered  to 
remain  in  a  neglected  state  until  last  summer,  when  a  lease  was  taken  of 
the  region  by  Mr.  G.  W.  BARTHOLOMEW  of  Bristol,  by  whom  a  trench 
twenty  feet  long,  ten  wide,  and  seventeen  deep,  was  excavated.  The 
general  direction  of  the  strata,  six  or  eight  rods  north  of  the  trench  is 
N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  but  at  the  excavation  the  direction  is  about  east 
and  west.  The  trench  has  nearly  a  north  and  south  course,  and  cuts 
somewhat  obliquely  across  alternations  of  vertical  layers  of  granite 
(5776)  and  soft  mica-slate  (5726).  The  layers  of  granite  are  from 
one  to  two  feet  in  thickness,  while  those  of  the  slate  are  generally 
much  less.  It  was  found  on  getting  a  few  feet  below  the  surface 
that  the  green  malachite  and  brown  iron-ochre  diminished  in  quan- 
tity, and  that  the  rocks  were  less  decomposed.  Yellow  copper-pyrites 
began  to  make  its  appearance  in  the  slate,  and  variegated  copper  in 
the  granite.  The  integrity  of  the  rocks  and  the  abundance  of  the 
ore  increased  regularly  as  the  workmen  descended,  till  at  the  bottom 
the  granite  presented  several  almost  continuous  veins,  or  layers  of 
ore,  which  in  places  had  a  thickness  of  two  inches.  No  particular 
care  was  observed  in  picking  the  materials  raised,  but  the  proprietor 
is  of  opinion  that  above  three  tons  of  good  ore  have  been  obtained. 
A  shaft  of  six  by  eight  feet  and  fifty  deep,  is  now  contracted  for,  and 
provided  the  ore  continues  as  rich  as  it  was  during  the  last  few  feet 
of  the  main  digging  above  referred  to,  the  proprietor  expects  to 
obtain  eight  or  ten  tons  of  ore  in  its  descent. 

The  variegated  copper  at  this  place  is  much  the  most  abundant 
ore  at  present,  though  it  is  almost  wholly  confined  to  the  granite,  the 
shist  affording  only  minute  sprinklings  of  the  yellow  copper-pyrites. 
Traces  of  this  last  ore  are  visible  in  the  granite,  and  in  some  instances 
appear  to  be  intimately  mingled  with  the  variegated  copper  in  very 
minute  quantity.  The  dark  gray  color  occasionally  possessed  by 
the  variegated  ore  (5776),  and  the  parti-colored  tints  offered  by  the 
streak,  evince  the  presence  of  vitreous  copper.  It  is  interesting  to 
observe  also,  as  indicative  of  a  metalliferous  region,  that  the  granite 
contains  thin  seams  of  a  bluish  green  clay,  or  lithomarge ;  also  lamellar 
white  heavy  spar,  in  which  are  imbedded  perfect  crystals  of  quartz.* 

*  The  idea  cannot  but  be  suggested  on  the  inspection  of  this  ore  and  its  gangue, 
that  the  deposits  of  copper  in  the  secondary  have  originated  from  the  breaking  up  of 
a  primitive  copper-field  closely  related  to  that  of  the  Bristol  mine. 


48 

The  rocks  in  which  these  ores  are  found  being  almost  wholly  cov- 
ered by  soil  and  diluvium,  the  extent  of  the  copper  is  far  from  hav- 
ing been  ascertained,  either  in  the  number  of  repetitions,  or  the 
breadth,  of  the  cupreous  strata,  or  even  in  their  length.  At  present 
every  appearance  favors  the  opinion  that  here  is  a  copper-field  of 
wido  extent,  and  probably  similar  to  that  of  Fahlun  or  Garpenberg  in 
Sweden. 

Variegated  copper  is  found  also  in  the  repositories  already  given 
for  the  preceding  species,  with  which  it  occurs  in  small  quantity  at 
nearly  all  its  localities.  It  would  appear  however  to  be  more  abund- 
ant at  the  Higley  mine,  than  at  Newgate ;  and  in  general  wherever 
the  gangue  is  trap  instead  of  sandstone,  it  is  likely  to  preponderate. 
It  occurs  in  specimens  of  the  greatest  purity  at  the  quarry  of  Rocky 
Hill,  Hartford,  disseminated  through  veins  of  quartz  in  trap,  and 
associated  with  heavy  spar,  green  malachite,  and  blue  malachite 
(577).  It  has  also  been  found  at  Winsted  by  Mr.  BOYD  in  small 
quantities,  which  as  an  indication  of  a  copper-region  is  the  more  im- 
portant, from  the  circumstance  that  the  same  ore  attends  the  vitreous 
copper  at  Wolcottville,  a  locality  not  many  miles  distant. 

Yellow  Copper-Pyrites. — This  ore  of  copper,  to  which  so  much 
of  the  metal  of  commerce  is  due,  is  easily  recognized  by  its  brass- 
yellow  color,  greenish  black  streak,  and  peculiar  hardness,  which  is 
rather  below  that  of  fluor.  It  consists  of  sulphur  35*3,  copper  34-8, 
and  iron  29*8. 

The  most  favorable  indications  of  this  ore  found  in  the  State, 
are  those  existing  at  the  topaz-vein  in  Trumbull.  It  is  already 
visible  in  considerable  quantity  among  the  magnetic  iron-pyrites 
(574),  thrown  out  during  the  recent  exploration  for  fluor  at  this 
place.  It  shows  itself  again  in  an  independent  vein,  distant  sixty  or 
eighty  rods,  S.  W.,  associated  with  galena  and  blende  (572).  Con- 
sidering the  strength  of  the  mineral  veins  found  at  this  place,  and  the 
presence  in  them  of  the  usual  accompaniments  of  copper-ore,  little 
doubt  can  be  entertained  that  this  also  is  destined  to  become  at  some 
future  day,  a  mining  district  of  considerable  importance. 

This  ore  has  manifested  itself  at  numerous  places  in  the  chlorite- 
slate  formation  of  Orange.  Near  a  place  called  Lambert's  mine, 
where  a  surface-accumulation  of  galena  was  discovered  many  years 
ago,  a  quartz-vein  containing  this  species,  nearly  a  foot  in  width,  has 


49 

been  worked  down  to  a  depth  of  ten  or  fifteen  feet.  Iron-pyrites  was 
the  most  abundant  ore  present,  but  the  yellow  copper-pyrites  evi- 
dently improved  as  the  workings  continued.  With  it  were  associated 
variegated  copper,  and  faint  arborizations  of  native  copper.  The 
rock  through  which  the  vein  cuts  is  a  hard,  chloritic  trap.  The 
explorations  at  this  place  however,  are  for  the  present  suspended, 
although  it  cannot  be  denied  that  appearances  less  promising  would 
secure  more  faithful  trials  in  other  countries.  Yellow  copper-pyrites 
is  found  under  similar  circumstances  in  the  same  town,  at  the  three- 
mile  gate  on  the  Milford-turnpike,  and  at  two  places  near  the  Derby- 
turnpike. 

Favorable  appearances  of  this  species  are  observable  along  with  the 
magnetic  iron-pyrites  at  Litchfield  (573) ;  a  rich  sample  (573r)  was 
found  in  diluvium  in  the  southwest  corner  of  Southbury,  near  the  line 
of  Roxbury.  Traces  of  yellow  copper  occur  along  with  galena  and 
blende  at  Mine-hill  in  Roxbury,  at  the  Middletown  lead-mine,  and 
in  gneiss,  at  Chaplin,  Westfield  in  Killingly,  and  in  Griswold. 

Green  .Malachite. — This  beautiful  ore  of  copper  is  known  by  its 
deep  apple,  or  emerald-green  color  and  the  delicately  fibrous  texture, 
or  the  pulverulent  form,  which  it  generally  exhibits.  It  consists  of 
copper  58-0,  oxygen  12-5,  carbonic  acid  18-0,  and  water  11'5.  It 
is  a  mineral  no  where  worked  as  an  ore  of  copper  entirely  by  itself; 
but  as  it  accompanies  almost  every  other  species,  it  often  goes  to 
increase  in  no  unimportant  manner  the  yield  of  copper  ores  in  gene- 
ral. It  thus  enhances  the  value  of  the  Granby  ores  5  and  should  a 
profitable  deposit  of  copper-ore  be  found  any  where  in  the  secondary, 
the  green  malachite  will  undoubtedly  enter  into  its  composition. 

The  Bristol  copper-mine  has  been  mentioned  as  a  depository  of 
this  species.  Another  deposit  was  wrought  about  the  middle  of  the 
last  century  (and  has  been  re-worked  to  some  extent  within  a  few 
years),  situated  in  Manchester  on  the  land  of  E.  WILLIS,  and  inclu- 
ded in  gneiss,  through  which  specular  iron  and  iron-pyrites  are  dis- 
seminated (355,  546).  A  pit  was  formerly  sunk  into  the  rock  on  the 
hill,  and  at  its  foot  near  by,  a  level  was  carried  in  for  a  distance  of 
several  rods.  Whether  any  other  ore  accompanied  the  malachite  is 
not  now  apparent. 

Traces  of  the  same  ore  occur  in  West  Haven  on  the  Derby-turn- 
pike, in  a  quartz-vein  traversing  the  chlorite-slate  (366).  Many  iso- 

7 


50 

lated  observations  of  this  species  might  be  quoted  in  various  sections 
of  the  State,  but  they  are  deemed  too  unimportant  to  merit  a  notice 
in  the  present  report. 

Blue  Malachite. — It  only  differs  perceptibly  (unless  crystallized) 
from  green  malachite  by  its  color,  which  is  blue.  Its  chemical  dif- 
ference depends  upon  the  proportion  of  water  it  contains.  The  only 
locality  of  blue  malachite  met  with,  was  at  Rocky  hill  near  Hartford ; 
where  it  was  noticed  in  minute  quantities  associated  with  variegated 
copper  and  green  malachite. 

In  concluding  our  notice  of  the  ores  of  copper  thus  far  made  known 
within  the  State,  it  appears  just  to  observe  that  the  indications  they 
afford  of  valuable  copper-mines  have  been  too  much  neglected.  It 
is  not  to  be  expected  that  copper,  however  rich  we  may  be  in  this 
metal,  will  force  itself  upon  our  regard  in  powerful  beds  and  veins  at 
the  immediate  surface,  as  do  our  deposits  of  iron-ore.  Copper  but 
very  rarely  reaches  the  surface  in  veins.  It  is  seldom  abundant 
except  at  a  depth  of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  fathoms  from  the  sur- 
face. The  first  twenty  or  thirty  fathoms  of  good  workable  veins 
frequently  exhibit  nothing  but  quartz  and  brown  iron-ochre,  called 
gossan  by  the  English  miner;  and  hence  the  common  expression 
among  miners,  that  gossan  occurs  very  generally  on  the  back  of  the 
lodes  (veins).  Iron-pyrites  and  mispickel  are  often  replaced  at  a 
few  fathoms  below  the  surface  by  tin,  and  this  again  at  greater  depths 
by  copper.  The  best  veins  of  Cornwall  were  not  explored  for  copper 
until  near  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century,  whereas  their  mean 
annual  yield  in  copper-ore  between  1726  and  1735  was  six  thousand 
tons !  WILLIAMS,  in  his  Mineral  Kingdom  (Vol.  I.  p.  232.),  says, 
"  In  general  I  have  observed  that  the  greatest  number  of  such  veins 
as  are  roomy  and  capacious  between  the  sides  at  a  good  depth,  L  e. 
from  ten  to  twenty  fathoms  down,  are  generally  very  strait  and  close 
at  the  superficies  of  the  strata.  ...  At  the  same  lime,  it  is 
also  proper  to  observe,  that  it  is  very  uncertain  at  what  depth  they 
begin  to  open.  A  great  number  of  fine  veins,  with  their  sides  per- 
fectly close  above,  appearing  at  the  superficies  of  the  strata  no  wider 
than  a  common  joint,  the  sides  of  the  vein  perhaps  not  an  inch  asua- 
der,  nevertheless  gradually  open  downward,  until  the  cavity  or  body 
of  the  vein  between  the  sides,  at  twenty  or  thirty  fathoms  deep,  is  six 
or  eight  feet  wide,  or  more  ;  some,  which  are  close  above  and  wide 


51 

below,  begin  to  open  at  two  or  three  fathoms  below  the  surface ; 
others  do  not  open  until  they  are  eight  or  ten  fathoms  down ;  and 
again  some  continue  so  close  and  strait  for  a  great  way  down, 
that  they  are  not  a  foot  wide  at  twenty  fathoms  below  the  surface, 
which  nevertheless  open  out  to  several  feet  at  a  greater  depth.  These 
remarks  seem  to  favor  strait  or  narrow  veins,  and  in  my  observations 
I  do  not  remember  seeing  many  such  as  were  close,  extensive,  or 
narrow  at  the  surface,  which  did  not  open  below,  if  there  was  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  them  at  a  good  depth."  Applying  these  re- 
marks to  the  pyritous  quartz-veins  in  the  chlorite-slate  formation,  to 
the  topaz  and  fluor-veins  of  Trumbull,  the  copper-mine  at  Bristol, 
the  Roxbury  Mine-hill  veins,  as  well  as  to  the  lead-mines  generally 
in  the  primitive,  all  of  which  contain  copper,  it  is  surely  not  extrava- 
gant to  predict  the  ultimate  discovery  of  rich  copper-mines  in  Connec- 
ticut. Their  discovery  however,  attended  as  it  probably  will  be  by 
much  scientific  research  and  by  more  or  less  of  hazard,  and  demand- 
ing as  it  must  large  pecuniary  resources,  should  in  no  case  be 
attempted  by  agriculturalists  or  individuals  of  limited  means,  who, 
should  they  engage  in  these  enterprises,  would  be  likely  in  nearly 
every  instance  not  only  to  fail  of  success,  but  finally  to  be  overwhelmed 
in  embarrassment  and  ruin.  Undertakings  of  this  nature  must  be 
left  to  joint-stock  companies  of  ample  capital,  by  whom  the  highest 
degrees  of  practical  skill  and  science  will  always  be  commanded, 
and  where  the  number  of  shares  is  so  great  that  adventurers  are 
scarcely  affected  by  temporary  losses.  Such  associations  are  already 
beginning  to  be  organized  in  the  country,  and  will  increase  in  number 
as  the  value  of  copper  rises,  and  as  soon  as  our  people  become  better 
informed  respecting  the  success  of  English  companies.* 

LEAD. 

Galena. — This  is  the  only  ore  deserving  of  mention  as  furnishing 
the  lead  of  commerce.  It  is  a  mineral  in  general  easily  known  by 
its  brilliant  metallic  lustre,  pure  lead-gray  color,  and  disposition  to 
cleave  into  cubical  fragments.  These  properties,  added  to  its  soft- 
ness and  weight,  are  always  sufficient  to  identify  the  varieties  of  this 

*  The  copper-mines  of  England  yielded  between  1825  and  1835  the  sum  of 
£8,053,263.  Single  mines  yielded  in  some  instances  a  clear  annual  profit  of  from 
30  to  £50,000. 


52 

species.  It  consists  of  lead  85,  and  sulphur  14.  It  has  been  found 
at  numerous  places  in  the  State,  and  has  at  different  periods  led  to  no 
inconsiderable  expenses  in  its  exploration.  One  of  the  most  remark- 
able of  these  is  at  Middletown,  directly  upon  the  bank  of  Connecticut 
river.  It  here  occurs  in  a  thin  bed  or  seam  of  quartz  included  in 
mica-slate,  having  a  thickness  of  from  ten  to  twenty  inches.  The 
strata  dip  west  between  35  and  45°.  The  ore  (582)  is  associated 
with  blende,  iron-pyrites,  and  rarely  with  yellow  copper-pyrites. 
These  ores  however  form  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  seam,  into 
the  composition  of  which  a  plumbaginous  argillite  (152),  or  mica- 
slate,  often  enters.  The  galena  even  seems  less  abundant  than  some 
of  the  other  sulphurets.  The  excavations  prove  that  the  mine  must 
have  been  wrought  formerly  to  a  considerable  extent.  If  it  was  then 
found  profitable,  it  is  highly  certain  that  the  present  low  price  of  lead 
must  effectually  preclude  all  farther  attention  to  this  repository,  unless 
the  vein  (bed)  opens  on  being  wrought  to  a  greater  depth. 

The  more  recent  discovery  of  galena  in  Brookfield  excited  for  a 
time,  sanguine  expectations  of  a  valuable  lead-mine.  The  examina- 
tions which  have  been  made  however,  seem  to  prove  that  the  ore, 
instead  of  occupying  a  continuous  bed  or  vein,  is  rather  disseminated 
either  in  small  bunches  or  in  a  net-work  of  little  veins.  The  rock 
containing  the  ore  is  white  limestone,  occasionally  dolomitic,  which 
in  some  places  abounds  in  quartz.  With  the  galena  is  associated 
blende  (584),  whose  surface  very  rarely  presents  small  crystals  of 
white  lead-ore.  Calamine  and  pyromorphite  are  also  found  here. 
Many  good  mines  of  lead  have  been  opened  in  other  countries  under 
less  favorable  auspices  than  are  presented  by  this  place.  The  main 
bunch  of  ore  was  indeed  exhausted  very  soon ;  but  slender  threads, 
or  leadings  as  they  are  called  are  left,  which  if  followed  will  very 
likely  conduct  to  richer  repositories.  Indeed  the  nature  of  the  con- 
taining rock  as  well  as  that  of  the  immediate  vicinity,  which  for  a 
considerable  district  (one  or  two  miles  in  extent  with  a  considerable 
breadth)  is  chiefly  pure  limestone  though  in  a  dolomitic  country, 
affords  much  encouragement  to  the  idea  of  a  valuable  mining  dis- 
trict. 

The  next  deposit  of  galena  worthy  of  mention  is  that  at  Monroe, 
known  as  Lane's  mine,  where  it  exists  attended  with  a  variety  of 
other  ores  disseminated  through  an  immense  bed  of  quartz.  The 


53 

galena  has  never  been  supposed  to  exist  at  this  place  in  sufficient 
quantity  to  authorize  exploration  on  its  own  account ;  but  being  unu- 
sually rich  in  silver,  it  has  excited  some  attention  on  this  account.  It 
was  found  by  Prof.  SILLIMAN  to  contain  silver  in  the  ratio  of  2  to 
3-5  p.  c.  compared  with  the  metallic  lead  of  the  ore.  The  pros- 
pect of  remuneration  from  the  working  of  an  ore  but  sparingly  dis- 
seminated through  so  hard  a  gangue  as  quartz  does  not  appear  flat- 
tering. As  the  bed  has  been  examined  however  to  a  very  limited 
extent,  future  researches  may  lead  to  a  discovery  of  the  ore  in  greater 
abundance. 

Several  other  lead-mines,  but  of  inferior  importance,  have  been 
opened  in  various  parts  of  the  state,  to  some  of  which  it  may  be 
expected  that  allusion  should  be  made,  although  but  little  informa- 
tion could  be  acquired  respecting  their  condition.  The  silver- 
mine  in  Wilton  is  one  of  these.  Here  is  an  excavation  said  to  be 
seventy-five  feet  in  depth,  and  reported  to  have  been  made  during 
the  period  of  the  revolution.  The  rock  penetrated  was  a  quartzy, 
granitic  bed,  situated  in  mica-slate.  Among  the  materials  thrown 
out  were  observed  minute  portions  of  galena,  associated  with  yellow 
copper-pyrites,  iron-pyrites,  and  rnispickel.  At  Sandy  Hook,  New- 
town,  about  fifty  rods  north  of  the  spot  where  search  was  made  for 
coal,  is  a  tunnel  carried  for  a  short  distance  through  a  projecting 
quartz-vein  contained  in  mica-slate.  It  is  called  a  silver-mine.  At- 
tached to  the  walls  of  this  excavation,  traces  of  galena  and  iron- 
pyrites  were  observable.  Kensington  parish  in  Berlin  has  another  of 
these  old  lead-diggings.  The  veins  containing  the  galena,  blende, 
&tc.  (581)  are  at  the  junction  of  a  ridge  of  trap  with  indurated  shale. 
It  was  explored  during  and  prior  to,  the  revolutionary  war.  Unsuc- 
cessful attempts  to  find  a  body  of  ore  were  also  made  about  thirty 
years  ago.  Rolled  masses  of  quartz  including  galena  have  been 
found  in  Canton  near  Collinsville,  in  Bethlehem  and  Plymouth 
(5816),  indicating  the  existence  of  veins  of  such  ores  in  these  regions. 
Galena  also  occurs  at  the  cobalt-mine  in  Chatham,  and  at  Trumbull 
near  the  topaz-vein  associated  with  yellow  copper- pyrites,  as  well  as 
in  the  spathic  iron-veins  of  Roxbury.  Other  indications  have  been 
observed  in  Bethany,  in  East  Haven  in  trap  at  Black  Rock  (New 
Haven  harbor),  and  in  granite  near  the  light-house,  in  Canton  on 
Whortleberry-hill,  and  in  Southington. 


54 


ZINC. 

The  increased  use  in  the  arts  made  of  this  metal  renders  its 
sources  in  the  State  important.  The  only  natural  ores  known  to  ex- 
ist are  blende  and  calamine.  The  chimnies  of  the  iron-furnaces  in 
Salisbury  afford  considerable  incrustations  of  cadmia,  and  occasion- 
ally coatings  of  electric  calamine. 

Blende. — This  ore,  though  abundant  in  nature,  has  until  within  a 
few  years  been  almost  wholly  neglected.  It  is  now  however  begin- 
ning to  be  employed  largely  as  a  source  of  metallic  zinc  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  brass.  It  is  a  brittle,  shining,  easily  cleavable  ore, 
possessed  of  an  adamantine  lustre,  of  a  hardness  rather  below  fluor, 
and  various  shades  of  color,  of  which  yellow,  brown  and  black,  are 
the  most  common.  It  consists  of  zinc  64  and  sulphur  34,  with  2 
and  sometimes  5  p.  c.  of  iron.  After  the  notice  of  galena,  with 
which  blende  generally  occurs  associated,  it  will  be  easy  to  indicate 
the  localities  of  this  species.  1  shall  mention  them  in  the  order  of 
their  apparent  importance  : — Middletown  lead-mine  (582),  Chatham 
cobalt-mine  (585),  Lane's  mine,  Monroe  (586),  Brookfield  (584), 
Kensington  in  Berlin  (581),  Bethany  (5656). 

Calamine. — It  is  a  carbonate  of  zinc,  consisting  of  oxide  of  zinc  65, 
and  carbonic  acid  35.  It  usually  occurs  massive,  and  often  in  a  fri- 
able or  earthy  condition.  Sometimes  however,  it  assumes  a  stalactitic 
shape,  with  rough,  corroded  surfaces.  Its  ordinary  color  is  white. 
It  is  much  valued  in  the  manufacture  of  brass.  The  only  locality  in 
the  State  is  at  Brookfield,  where  it  occurs  in  white  limestone  (358r) 
along  with  blende  and  galena. 

The  cadmia  which  forms  in  the  chimneys  of  the  iron-furnaces  at 
Salisbury  (592)  and  vicinity,  is  deserving  of  economical  attention, 
since  it  is  the  richest  ore  of  zinc  known,  and  is  carefully  preserved 
at  all  the  furnaces  where  it  accumulates  in  Europe,  being  employed 
in  the  fabrication  of  brass.  Its  origin  and  properties  may  be  described 
as  follows : — The  zinc  exists  in  the  iron-ore,  either  in  the  condition 
of  a  sulphuret  or  of  an  oxide.  The  heat  of  the  furnace  causes  it  to 
assume  the  form  of  vapor,  which  in  making  its  escape  from  the  fur- 
nace is  condensed  in  thin  layers  on  the  throat  of  the  chimney  where 
it  is  comparatively  cold,  from  the  frequently  introduced  charges  of 
ore,  coal  and  flux.  The  deposit  gradually  increases  until  it  becomes 


55 

several  inches  thick,  when  unless  removed  with  care,  it  is  liable  to 
separate  and  to  fall  into  the  furnace,  producing  in  some  instances  se- 
rious inconveniences.  It  consists  of  oxide  of  zinc  91,  oxide  of  lead 
5,  protoxide  of  iron  1,  charcoal  1.  A  sample  of  this  product  of  iron- 
furnaces  from  the  vicinity  of  Salisbury  was  analyzed  by  Dr.  TORREY, 
and  found  to  contain  neither  lead  nor  silica.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  its  nature  has  not  been  understood  in  the  region  of  the  iron- 
works, where  great  quantities  of  it  have  been  thrown  away  as  of  no 
value. 

The  electric  calamine  is  a  still  more  remarkable  product  of  these 
furnaces,  inasmuch  as  it  has  never  before  been  observed,  except 
in  natural  repositories.  It  is  used  also  in  the  fabrication  of  brass. 
It  differs  from  the  cadmia  chiefly  in  containing  about  25  p.  c.  of 
silica,  and  7  p.  c.  of  water.  It  forms  stalactitic  and  coralloidal  in- 
crustations of  half  an  inch  in  thickness,  and  covered  by  minute  crys- 
talline facets  (593.)  It  is  impossible  to  say  how  frequently  this  min- 
eral is  produced,  or  to  point  out  the  circumstances  under  which  it 
forms  in  place  of  cadmia.  Both  substances  will  be  found  worthy 
of  being  preserved  for  the  manufacture  of  brass. 

BISMUTH. 

Native  Bismuth. — This  species  is  found  in  small  masses,  having 
the  peculiar  color  and  lustre,  as  well  as  lamellar  texture  possessed 
by  the  bismuth  of  commerce.  It  (563)  occurs  disseminated  through 
the  metalliferous  quartz-bed  of  Monroe,  associated  with  mispickel, 
iron-pyrites,  wolfram,  galena  and  blende.  The  small  quantity  in 
which  it  is  found,  has  thus  far  discouraged  all  attempts  to  separate  it 
from  its  gangue  for  the  purposes  of  the  arts. 

Bismuthine. — This  is  a  sulphuret  of  bismuth,  and  has  barely  been 
detected  at  Haddam  in  the  granite-vein  containing  the  chrysoberyl. 
With  it,  occurs  a  yellow  pulverulent  substance  resembling  the  bis- 
muth-ochre. 

ARSENIC. 

Mispickel. — The  white  arsenic  of  commerce  is  chiefly  derived 
from  this  species.  It  is  found  in  several  places  in  the  State,  though 
probably,  so  far  as  is  at  present  known,  only  at  one  locality  in 
such  quantity  as  to  render  it  of  economical  value.  It  is  a  mineral 


56 

very  apt  to  be  regarded  by  people  in  general  as  a  silver-ore.  Its 
silver-white,  or  steel-gray  color,  and  high  specific  gravity,  are  no 
doubt  the  reasons  of  this  impression.  When  heated  on  charcoal,  it 
affords  copious  fumes  having  the  odor  of  garlic,  and  a  residuum  of 
sulphuret  of  iron  remains,  which  is  attractable  by  the  magnet.  It 
consists  of  iron  36,  arsenic  42,  and  sulphur  21. 

The  leading  deposit  of  this  ore  above  alluded  to,  is  in  Derby,  on 
the  land  of  Mr.  A.  BASSET  (566.)  It  has  long  been  known  as  the 
silver-mine,  and  was  worked  probably  under  this  idea,  prior  to  the 
revolution.  It  appears  to  occur  in  nests  and  beds  in  a  quartzy 
gneiss,  and  contiguous  to  a  powerful  dyke  of  trap.  A  number  of 
excavations  were  made  for  the  ore ;  some  of  which  were  vertical, 
and  one  horizontal.  Whether  any  continuous  bed  of  it  exists  in 
place,  it  is  difficult  to  say,  but  large  masses  of  it  are  frequently  met 
with  dispersed  through  the  fields  in  the  vicinity.*  Galena,  blende  and 
iron-pyrites  are  often  observed,  associated  with  the  ore.  Other  less 
remarkable  localities  of  this  species  are  Lane's  mine  in  Monroe,  the 
lead-mine  in  Wilton,  and  near  the  Quaker's  farm-factory  in  Oxford 
(5666)  and  at  Bethany  (5656.) 

COBALT    AND    NICKEL. 

Cobalt  is  a  metal  hitherto  unemployed  in  a  state  of  purity  in  the 
arts.  Its  only  use  is  for  imparting  a  rich  blue,  by  the  union  of  its 
oxide  with  certain  alcaline  and  earthy  glasses  and  enamels. 

Smaltine. — This  species  is  the  chief  source  of  the  cobalt  thus  em- 
ployed in  the  arts.  Its  color  is  tin-white,  and  its  hardness  is  nearly 
equal  to  that  of  feldspar  :  it  is  massive  and  fine  granular.  It  con- 
sists of  arsenic  65-7,  cobalt  28,  iron  6-2.  It  is  prepared  for  use  by 
exposure  in  a  reverberatory  furnace  to  the  action  of  heat  and  air,  by 
which  operation  its  elements  are  oxidized,  and  the  arsenious  acid  is 
principally  expelled  in  the  form  of  vapor, — an  impure  oxide  of  co- 
balt remaining,  which  is  well  known  in  commerce  by  the  name  of 
zaffre.  From  this,  the  beautiful  blue  colored  glass,  called  smalt,  is 


*  The  proprietor  of  this  mine  has  been  in  the  practice  of  applying  it  to  a  very 
ingenious  use,  viz.  that  of  expelling  crows  from  his  corn-fields.  Fires  are  kindled  on 
the  windward  side  of  a  field,  and  fragments  of  the  ore  thrown  upon  them  :  either  the 
odor  of  the  garlic,  or  the  deleterious  impregnation  of  the  atmosphere  with  arsenic,  ef- 
fectually deters  this  cautious  hird  from  his  customary  depredations. 


57 

obtained,  by  fusing  it  with  a  mixture  of  sand  and  potash.  The  zaffre 
also  furnishes  the  pure  oxide  of  cobalt,  with  which  the  porcelain- 
manufacturer  stains  his  ware  of  an  intense  blue.* 

Smaltine  is  found  at  Chatham  at  the  well  known  cobalt-mine,  and 
has  been  considerably  worked  at  two  periods ;  the  first  during  the 
last  century,  and  the  last,  about  fifteen  years  ago.  The  mine  is 
situated  upon  a  mountain  three  hundred  feet  above  the  little  lake, 
at  its  northwestern  base.  The  prevailing  rocks  of  the  mountain  are 
quartz-rock  and  mica-slate.  The  direction  of  the  strata  is  very 
nearly  east  and  west,  with  a  dip  to  the  north  of  between  40  and  45°. 
The  mine  is  situated  about  seventy-five  feet  up  the  mountain,  and 
forms  a  thin  bed  or  seam  in  the  mica-slate,  whose  dip  and  direction 
conform  precisely  to  the  general  stratification  of  the  mountain.  The 
stratum  embracing  the  ore  appears  to  run  directly  across  the  moun- 
tain, and  has  been  more  or  less  excavated  for  nearly  the  whole  ex- 
tent. Its  thickness  is  with  difficulty  inferred  from  the  present  con- 
dition of  the  mine,  but  appears  to  be  about  one  foot ;  it  consists  of  an 
aggregate  of  quartz,  garnet  and  hornblende.  The  greatest  depth  to 
which  the  ore  has  been  followed  in  any  one  place  is  said  to  be  forty- 
five  feet.  It  is  accompanied  by  copper-nickel,  blende,  galena,  and 
traces  of  yellow  copper-pyrites  (585,  564,  567).  The  last  working 
of  the  mine  was  carried  on  by  Mr.  SETH  HUNT,  and  was  persevered 
in  for  upwards  of  three  years.  It  was  abandoned  in  consequence  of 
the  difficulty  experienced  in  separating  the  nickel  from  the  cobalt. 

The  copper-nickel  is  closely  associated  with  the  smaltine  (564), 
though  obviously  in  small  quantity  compared  with  the  latter  species. 
It  is  massive  and  compact  in  its  texture,  and  is  easily  distinguished 
from  the  other  ores  with  which  it  is  associated,  by  its  reddish  gray 
color  and  metallic  lustre.  It  consists  of  nickel  15-6,  cobalt  4'6,  iron 
16-6,  arsenic  46,  antimony  1-04,  sulphur  8-6. f  The  universal  dis- 
semination of  this  species  through  the  smaltine,  renders  the  profitable 
working  of  the  mine  a  nice  operation,  but  one  for  which  the  advanced 
state  of  chemical  science  is  fully  prepared,  at  least  so  far  as  the  sep- 
aration of  the  cobalt  from  the  nickel  is  concerned.  Such  ores  are 
wrought  in  various  parts  of  Germany  with  success,  so  that  the  only 

*  The  cobalt  mines  of  Saxony  annually  yield  above  $225,000  in  value,  of  smalt. 
}  The  specimen  analyzed  was  blended  with  smaltine. 

8 


58 

question  concerning  the  propriety  of  re-coin mencing  the  working  of 
this  mine  must  turn  on  the  quantity  of  ore  it  is  capable  of  supplying.* 

MOLYBDENUM. 

This  scarce  metal  has  heretofore  been  applied  to  but  a  single  use, 
the  fabrication  of  the  carmine-blue,  a  pigment  of  some  celebrity. 
Its  constitution  chiefly  depends  on  the  presence  of  molybdic  acid.  It 
is  formed  by  the  following  process  ;  molybdenite  (sulphuret  of  mo- 
lybdenum) is  boiled  with  sixteen  times  its  weight  of  water  until  the 
water  is  reduced  to  one  third  its  volume.  A  small  quantity  of 
hydro-chloric  acid  is  then  added  in  drops,  and  afterwards  one  twenty- 
fourth  its  weight  of  metallic  tin  :  the  blue  precipitate  appears  in  a 
few  days. 

The  gneiss  quarries  of  Haddam  have  occasionally  produced  the 
molybdenite,  also  those  in  Chester  near  Deep  River  (587). 

TITANIUM. 

Like  cobalt,  this  metal  is  never  employed  in  a  state  of  purity.  In 
combination  with  oxygen  as  it  exists  in  rutile,  it  has  of  late  been  used 
to  stain  porcelain  of  a  peculiar  brown,  and  for  the  more  important 
purpose  of  imparting  to  the  artificial  porcelain-teeth  a  yellowish 
tinge.  Rulile  has  been  furnished  for  this  last  purpose  from  the  mica- 
slate  of  Monroe,  where  it  occurs  sparingly  disseminated  in  rounded 
grains  and  crystals  (536).  It  is  found  also  in  Plymouth,  Granby, 
North  Greenwich,  and  probably  in  many  other  places,  without  oc- 
curring any  where  in  quantity.  A  few  nearly  transparent  crystals  of 
a  blood  red  color  have  been  found  in  the  china-stone  quarry  of  Mid- 

dletown.f 

URANIUM. 

But  one  of  the  oxides  of  this  rare  metal  has  as  yet  been  employed 
in  the  arts :  the  protoxide  is  used  for  imparting  to  porcelain  a  pe- 

*  The  general  method  at  present  pursued  in  the  treatment  of  such  ores  is,  to  sub- 
ject them  to  a  very  intense  heat,  equal  for  example  to  that  of  the  porcelain-furnaces, 
in  order  to  expel  the  sulphur  and  arsenic  they  contain.  The  residuum  is  then  treated 
with  such  a  quantity  of  nitre  or  of  carbonate  of  soda,  that  from  12  to  15  p.  c.  of  the 
metallic  matter  may  not  be  attacked :  the  nickel  being  less  oxidable  than  the  cobalt, 
collects  together  into  a  mass  by  itself,  while  the  scoria  containing  the  cobalt  is  almost 
perfectly  free  from  nickel. 

t  Rutile  sells  in  New  York  at  eight  dollars  per  pound. 


59 

culiar  yellow  tint,  as  well  as  for  producing  a  rich  shining  black. 
Pitchblende  is  the  ore  of  uranium,  from  which  this  oxide  is  obtained. 
It  usually  occurs  of  a  pitch  black  color,  massive,  compact,  and  very 
heavy.  Its  hardness  is  nearly  equal  to  that  of  feldspar.  It  consists 
of  the  protoxide  of  uranium,  with  traces  of  iron,  lead,  and  rarely  of 
cobalt.  This  ore  occurs  in  the  china-stone  quarry  at  Middletown 
(560),  associated  with  blende  (whose  form  of  crystal  it  sometimes 
imitates),  columbite  and  rutile.  Thus  far,  it  has  only  been  found  in 
very  small  quantity.  Closely  associated  with  it  also,  is  found  the 
green  uran-ochre ;  an  ore  never  before  observed,  and  which  consists 
of  the  protoxide  of  uranium  in  a  state  of  freedom  as  respects  other 
metallic  oxides,  and  suited  to  the  purposes  of  the  porcelain  manu- 
facturer. Its  quantity,  however,  is  small. 

COLUMB1UM. 

No  useful  application  has  as  yet  been  made  of  this  metal,  which 
may  perhaps  be  attributed  to  its  great  scarcity,  rather  than  to  its  un- 
fitness  for  use.  The  State  of  Connecticut  furnished  the  first  sample 
of  the  ore  to  science  ;  and  in  consequence  of  its  American  origin 
it  received  in  England  the  name  of  columbite,  and  the  new  metal  it 
was  found  to  contain,  that  of  columbium.* 

The  china-stone  quarry  at  Middletown  has  furnished  the  most  ex- 
traordinary specimens  (559)  of  columbite  yet  described  in  the  world. 
A  single  group  of  crystals  obtained  at  this  place  weighed  fourteen 
pounds.  It  occurs  in  crystals  disseminated  through  the  feldspar, 
many  of  which  are  very  remarkable,  not  only  for  their  size,  but  for 
their  perfection  of  form.  It  is  also  found  in  small  quantity  at  Had- 
dam,  in  the  granite-vein  which  contains  the  chrysoberyl  (558). 

TUNGSTEN. 

This  is  another  of  the  rare  metals  not  hitherto  applied  to  any  use, 
except  on  a  small  scale  as  a  yellow  pigment  in  the  state  of  tungstic 

*  The  first  sample  was  sent  by  Gov.  WINTHROP  to  Sir  HANS  SLOANE,  and  was 
deposited  with  the  collection  of  this  gentleman  in  the  British  museum,  where  it  was 
examined  by  Mr.  HATCHETT,  and  afterwards  by  Dr.  WOLLASTOJV.  The  speci- 
m  en  was  supposed  to  have  been  found  near  New  London,  which  was  the  resi- 
dence of  Gov.  WIJVTHROP  ;  but  as  the  ore  has  not  been  re-discovered  in  that  vicini- 
ty, it  is  more  probable  that  it  was  obtained  from  the  region  of  Middletown. 


60 

acid.  Still  its  presence  is  every  where  viewed  with  interest,  as  be- 
ing a  metal  indicative  of  tin.  Three  of  its  ores  are  found  at  Lane's 
mine  in  Monroe  ;  viz.  Wolfram  (557),  Tungsten  (359),  and  Tungs- 
tic  ochre  (561).  They  likewise  occur  at  the  topaz-vein  in  Trumbull. 

It  is  not  perhaps  a  matter  of  wise  regret  that  gold  and  silver 
do  not  find  a  place  among  the  metallic  productions  of  the  State. 
Should  these  metals  be  detected  within  our  territory,  their  pursuit 
would  neither  operate  favorably  upon  our  agricultural  interests,  nor 
tend  to  the  successful  working  of  the  more  useful  metals,  whose  ex- 
istence has  already  been  pointed  out.  That  gold  is  not  likely  to  oc- 
cur to  any  extent,  may  be  inferred  from  the  limited  development  of 
the  gold-formation,  and  from  the  improbability  that  a  metal  which 
like  this,  presents  itself  in  every  rich  gold-district  in  grains  of  consid- 
erable size,  should  have  escaped  observation  in  a  country  so  old  and 
thickly  settled  as  Connecticut.  Should  silver  ever  be  worked,  it 
will  probably  be  in  connection  with  galena  ;  and  of  this,  the  only 
promising  deposit  is  that  of  Monroe. 

As  tin  is  an  ore  belonging  to  granite,  it  is  within  the  range  of  pos- 
sibility that  we  may  yet  discover  this  valuable  metal.  The  occur- 
rence of  the  tungsten-ores  at  Monroe  and  Trumbull,  as  has  already 
been  remarked,  invite  researches  in  that  direction.  The  china-stone 
quarry  of  Middletown  also,  is  another  quarter  where  it  is  likely  to 
be  discovered. 

II.  COAL. 

It  is  an  observation  as  well  founded  in  fact  as  it  is  important  in 
practice,  that  coal  occurs  only  in  rocks  of  a  peculiar  nature  and  geo- 
logical age.  Good  workable  coal  has  never  been  found  either  in 
the  oldest  crystalline  rocks,  or  in  the  newest  formations  of  the  sec- 
ondary and  tertiary.  Accordingly,  in  three  quarters  at  least  of  our 
territory, — in  all  but  the  secondary  region  of  the  valley  and  the  limited 
basin  of  Woodbury  and  Southbury, — the  existence  of  coal  is  as  cer- 
tainly denied  as  is  that  of  rock-salt  in  the  same  district.  The  discov- 
ery of  anthracite  at  Worcester  (Mass.),  in  mica-slate,  (which  gradu- 
ates into  argillite,)  and  unattended  with  any  secondary  or  recomposed 
rocks  and  vegetable  remains,  is  the  only  apparent  exception  to  this 
rule.  It  may  well  be  questioned  however,  whether  this  seam  of  plum- 


61 

baginous  mica-slate  deserves  the  name  of  coal.  It  is  ignited  with 
great  difficulty,  and  according  to  the  experiments  of  Mr.  BULL,  its 
heating  power  compared  with  the  Lehigh-coal  is  only  one  half.  Its 
greater  specific  gravity  by  one-third  than  anthracite  shows  still  far- 
ther, the  preponderance  of  the  rock  over  the  carbonaceous  matter. 

The  only  serious  attempt  which  has  been  made  to  obtain  coal  in 
the  primitive  of  Connecticut,  is  at  Sandy-hook  in  Newtown.  The 
excavations  have  been  made  into  a  highly  glazed,  plumbaginous  mica- 
slate  (151),  on  the  banks  of  a  small  river  (the  Potatuck).  The 
working  was  still  in  progress  last  autumn,  but  has  not  been  resumed 
this  year.  A  level  fifty  feet  in  extent,  was  carried  into  the  mountain 
on  the  west  side  of  the  stream.  Judging  from  the  materials  thrown 
out,  it  would  be  a  liberal  estimate  to  rate  the  richest  samples  as  con- 
taining ten  per  cent  of  carbon ;  nor  could  any  ground  be  perceived 
for  inferring  an  improvement  in  the  rock  by  a  further  prosecution  of 
the  enterprise.  As  however  iron-pyrites  is  disseminated  in  minute 
crystals  through  the  rock,  and  especially  through  a  quartz  bed  near 
by,  some  hopes  may  be  entertained  of  finding  it  in  sufficient  quantity 
for  the  manufacture  of  copperas.  There  is  surely  nothing  else  de- 
serving attention  in  the  vicinity,  and  all  expectation  of  coal  ought 
to  be  abandoned  without  delay. 

The  geological  structure  of  the  secondary  does  not  preclude  the 
existence  of  coal,  though  the  character  of  the  formations  and  the 
failure  of  all  attempts  heretofore  made  for  its  development,  give  but 
a  feeble  promise  of  the  addition  of  this  valuable  mineral  resource 
to  the  State.  The  great  central  valley  abounds  in  a  conglome- 
rate-rock, obviously  composed  of  fragments  derived  from  the  con- 
tiguous primitive  ;  nor  is  it  wholly  wanting  in  bituminous  shales 
and  dark  colored  sandstone-slates,  which  are  the  more  immediate 
attendants  of  coal  deposits.  Still  these  have  not  yet  been  found  col- 
lectively arranged  in  that  order  of  alternation,  and  penetrated  and 
interleaved  by  vegetable  remains  and  argillaceous  iron-ore,  circum- 
stances which  are  at  least  requisite  to  constitute  safe  indications  for 
boring.  The  hopes  that  have  been  entertained  have  chiefly  been 
founded  on  bituminous  shale  and  limestone,  black  fissile  slate,  and 
thin  interrupted  seams  and  grains  of  indurated  bitumen  in  sandstone 
and  amygdaloid.  Fragments  of  coal  have  not  arrested  attention  on 
the  banks  of  rivers  or  streams,  or  been  detected  in  a  more  commi- 


62 

nuted  state,  blended  up  with  the  soil  or  diluvium  of  the  country. 
The  frequent  intersection  and  disturbance  of  the  secondary  by  trap 
dykes  in  this  region,  have  also  failed  to  afford  intimations  of  the 
combustible  in  question. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  particularize  the  character  of  the  numerous 
diggings  which  have  been  made  in  this  formation,  since  they  are  all 
alike  destitute  of  the  indications  essential  for  success ;  and  I  am 
happy  to  state,  they  are  nearly  or  quite  abandoned  as  hopeless,  by 
all  prudent  persons.* 

III.  PLUMBAGO. 

This  valuable  mineral,  for  which  new  uses  have  within  a  few  years 
been  discovered,  is  found  in  several  parts  of  the  State,  and  in  two 
places  at  least  in  very  encouraging  quantity.  It  is  often  called  gra- 
phite by  mineralogists,  and  in  common  life  is  known  by  the  very 
objectionable  denomination  of  black-lead,  a  name  calculated  to  con- 
vey the  idea  that  lead  is  an  ingredient  in  its  composition,  whereas  it 
does  not  include  a  particle  of  this  metal,  but  consists  essentially  of 
carbon.  It  is  therefore  closely  allied  to  anthracite,  since  the  purer 
varieties  of  plumbago  contain  ninety-five  per  cent  of  carbon,  the  re- 
mainder consisting  of  the  oxides  of  iron  and  manganese,  and  of  silica 
and  titanic  acid.  In  some  varieties  alumina  enters  in  large  propor- 
tion, and  taken  along  with  the  other  foreign  ingredients,  reduces  the 
relative  proportion  of  the  carbon  to  sixty  or  seventy  per  cent.  The 
purer  and  more  compact  varieties  are  used  for  the  fabrication  of  pen- 


*  Impressions  of  plants  are  of  very  rare  occurrence  at  the  places  where  excava- 
tions have  been  made,  and  in  many  instances  altogether  wanting.  A  cupriferous 
sandstone-slate  in  Suffield  at  Enfield  falls,  occasionally  embraces  compressed  stems, 
apparently  of  calamitae,  which  are  converted  into  brown  coal  (259).  Similar  re- 
mains were  noticed  at  Southington,  in  one  of  the  quarries  of  hydraulic  lime.  The 
coal-digging  in  Durham  also  afforded  some  obscure  vegetable  impressions.  The 
coal  from  these  plants  burns  with  a  feeble  flame  and  a  disagreeable  peat-like 
odor.  That  found  in  trap  at  Farmington  (311),  Southbury,  and  at  Rocky  Hill,  Hart- 
ford (320),  ignites  slowly  and  burns  without  flame  or  odor  :  it  is  therefore,  rather 
referable  to  anthracite  than  to  bituminous  coal.  The  coaly  matter,  occurring  in 
seams  with  crystals  of  dolomite  in  marly  shale  at  Berlin  and  in  the  bituminous 
shales  of  Southbury,  is  compact  bitumen.  In  many  instances  when  freshly  taken 
from  the  quarry  it  is  semi-fluid,  or  only  so  much  inspissated  as  to  form  what  is  called 
the  elastic  bitumen,  or  mineral-caoutchouc.  It  burns  with  a  white  flame  and  much 
smoke. 


63 

cils,  while  the  common  kinds  are  employed  in  the  manufacture  of 
crucibles,  to  the  composition  of  which  this  mineral  imparts  the  val- 
uable qualities  of  strength  and  infusibility.  Other  uses  of  plumbago 
are,  to  polish  iron-stoves,  rails,  &c.,  to  which  it  imparts  a  handsome 
gloss,  at  the  same  time  that  it  preserves  them  from  rusting.  Still 
another  application  of  this  substance  is,  when  mingled  with  oil,  to 
diminish  the  friction  of  machinery ;  it  is  said  also  to  afford  security 
against  fire,  when  formed  into  a  paint  and  laid  upon  the  roofs  of 
houses. 

A  plumbago-mine  was  worked  to  some  extent  seventy  or  eighty 
years  ago  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Ashford,  on  land  then  owned 
by  Mr.  ADONIJAH  BACKUS.  It  had  been  previously  opened,  but  at 
what  period  is  not  now  known.  At  the  time  here  mentioned  how- 
ever, a  number  of  tons  of  plumbago  were  obtained.  The  mine  was 
worked  in  the  manner  of  a  quarry,  and  an  excavation  made  of  con- 
siderable extent.  This  is  now  completely  filled  up  with  stones, 
which  have  been  carted  thither  from  the  contiguous  fields ;  a  road 
also  passes  quite  across  one  end  of  the  trench.  The  rock  of  the 
vicinity  is  gneiss,  analogous  to  that  embracing  the  plumbago  at  Stur- 
bridge,  which  is  about  six  miles  in  a  northeasterly  direction  from  this 
place.  And  such  is  the  conformity  of  this  direction  with  that  of  the 
stratification  of  the  gneiss,  as  almost  to  justify  the  opinion,  that  the 
Ashford  and  the  Sturbridge  deposits  of  plumbago  have  a  connexion 
with  each  other.  This  suggestion  is  the  more  probable  from  the 
fact,  that  the  gneiss  rock  is  similar  at  both  places,  and  contains  scales 
of  the  mineral  in  question  at  several  intermediate  points. 

Whether  the  Ashford  mine  is  worth  pursuing,  can  only  be  ascer- 
tained by  clearing  out  the  rubbish  with  which  the  original  excavation 
is  filled.  Mr.  BENJ.  SIMMONS,  who  now  owns  the  estate  on  which 
it  exists,  states  that  a  number  of  persons  from  Colchester  made  some 
trials  for  the  substance  as  late  as  1813.  The  attempt  however,  was 
confined  to  an  examination  of  the  bank  of  loose  materials,  thrown  out 
by  the  company  who  worked  it  eighty  years  ago.  They  obtained 
among  these,  a  waggon-load  of  plumbago  in  a  short  time.  It  is  a 
matter  of  regret  that  the  situation  of  the  mine  is  low,  and  that  the 
course  of  stratification  in  the  engaging  rock  (which  the  deposit  un- 
doubtedly follows)  leads  directly  along  the  edge  of  a  wet.  swampy 
swale  of  land. 


64 

Another  depository  of  plumbago  is  in  the  western  part  of  Corn- 
wall, on  a  mountain  nearly  three  hundred  feet  high,  and  situated  di- 
rectly upon  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Housatonic  river.  It  is  the 
property  of  Mr.  GIDEON  P.  PANGMAN.  The  rock  is  gneiss,  and 
wherever  it  comes  into  view  on  its  western  slope,  this  mineral  may 
be  detected  as  entering  more  or  less  into  its  composition, — some- 
times in  large  proportion  (74),  forming  a  plumbaginous  gneiss.  A 
trench  has  been  excavated  at  an  elevation  of  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  above  the  river,  nearly  six  feet  wide  and  twenty  long,  into 
a  rock  made  up  of  a  gray  pyroxene,  through  which  large  laminae  of 
plumbago  are  disseminated  (369).  The  cross  seams  of  this  bed  pre- 
sent a  coating  of  very  pure  plumbago,  about  half  an  inch  in  thick- 
ness. The  wide  diffusion  of  the  mineral  at  this  place,  affords  some 
encouragement  that  a  vein  or  bed  of  it  fit  for  working  will  ultimately 
be  found.  Less  promising  indications  of  the  same  mineral  were 
noticed  at  Danbury,  near  the  factory  of  Col.  WHITE  (37  ly),  near 
Foster's  factory  in  Reading,  in  the  north  part  of  Bethany  (371),  at 
Humphreysville,  in  Bolton,  Mansfield,  Ashford  and  Union. 

IV.  GEMS. 

Under  this  general  head  there  is  little  more  to  report  than  the 
fact,  that  most  of  the  precious  stones  exist  in  the  State.  As  yet  they 
have  attracted  little  or  no  notice  for  supplying  the  demands  of  jew- 
elry. Specimens  of  asteriated  sapphire  have  been  found  in  Litch- 
field,  but  wanting  too  much  in  transparency  to  constitute  them  beau- 
tiful gems.  A  very  extraordinary  repository  of  topaz  has  been 
brought  to  light  at  Trumbull  only  within  a  few  years,  where  crystals 
of  unprecedented  dimensions  have  been  found  in  abundance.  But 
few  pieces  however,  have  as  yet  been  met  with,  having  the  requisite 
transparency  to  answer  the  purposes  of  jewelry.  The  chrysoberyl 
of  Haddam  is  nearly  in  the  same  condition  ;  for  although  it  exists  in 
crystals  of  unusual  size,  it  yet  lacks  the  higher  attributes  of  opales- 
cence  and  clearness,  which  are  necessary  to  render  it  valuable  as  a 
gem.  lolite  has  been  obtained  from  the  albite-granite  of  Haddam 
(481)  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Norwich  (4826).  of  a  remarkably  rich 
blue  color  and  exhibiting  the  interesting  property  of  dichroism,  which 
recommends  it  both  as  an  object  of  beauty  and  as  an  optical  curiosity. 
Haddam  has  also  afforded  a  number  of  exquisitely  beautiful  beryls  of 


65 

perfect  transparency,  and  well  fitted  for  ornamental  purposes.  A 
transparent,  garnet-red  rutile  occurs  very  sparingly  in  the  china-stone 
quarry  of  Middletown,  which  has  been  cut  and  found  to  possess  the 
rich  color  of  the  fine  Bohemian  garnet,  along  with  the  metallic,  ada- 
mantine lustre  of  the  diamond.  The  agates  of  Farmington,  East  Ha- 
ven and  Woodbury,  as  well  as  those  of  many  other  places  in  the  trap- 
region  though  small,  are  yet  possessed  of  considerable  beauty.*  A 
number  of  them  have  been  cut  in  the  form  of  seal-stones,  which  fully 
rival  those  of  Scotland  and  Germany,  in  the  delicate  arrangement  of 
their  layers  and  the  richness  of  their  colors.  Zircon,  though  found  in 
two  localities,  Haddam  and  Middletown,  has  not  yet  presented  itself 
in  crystals  of  the  requisite  color  or  transparency,  necessary  to  consti- 
tute it  a  gem.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  garnet,  which  is  every 
where  found  through  the  primitive  of  the  State. 

V.  POLISHING  AND  GRINDING  MATERIALS. 

Those  minerals  possessed  of  the  highest  degrees  of  hardness  are 
employed  for  cutting,  polishing  and  shaping  bodies  less  hard  than 
themselves.  The  diamond  being  at  the  head  of  the  series  for  hard- 
ness, enjoys  the  highest  value  for  this  purpose.  Besides  its  well 
known  use  for  cutting  glass,  its  powder  is  used  in  polishing  that  gem 
itself,  and  for  slitting  and  shaping  all  the  others.  As  the  diamond- 
powder  is  so  expensive  however,  such  minerals  as  stand  next  in 
hardness  are  resorted  to  ;  and  the  emery,  which  is  an  impure  variety 
of  corundum,  is  most  in  esteem.  It  is  chiefly  derived  from  Naxos  and 
other  Grecian  islands,  being  there  found  in  large  loose  blocks ;  and 
from  Saxony,  where  it  occurs  in  a  kind  of  talc-slate,  presenting  a  fine 
granular  appearance  like  greenstone.  This  precious  substance,  of 
which  such  vast  quantities  are  consumed  not  only  by  lapidaries,  bjut 
in  burnishing  steel,  and  in  polishing  hardware  goods  generally,  has 
been  found  repeatedly  in  various  parts  of  Litchfield,  disseminated 
with  talc  and  apatite  through  blue  kyanite  :  and  inasmuch  as  the 
same  aggregate  exists  in  the  mica-slate  of  that  region,  it  will  with 
propriety  become  an  object  of  search  in  the  future  investigation  of 

*  The  calcedonic  balls  lately  discovered  in  Torringford  by  Dr.  HUDSON,  from 
the  size  of  a  hen's  egg  to  several  feet  in  diameter,  are  very  handsome ;  some  of 
them  having  rich  carnelian  shades  and  a  milky  translucency  (504y,  604r). 

9 


C6 

that  part  of  the  State.  It  also  occurs  in  small  crystals  with  buchol- 
zite  and  edwardsite,  at  the  falls  of  the  Yantic  in  Norwich. 

Whether  an  adequate  supply  of  the  emery  can  be  found  or  not, 
we  at  least  possess  a  valuable  substitute  in  the  topaz  of  Trumbull, 
which  has  been  too  long  overlooked,  since  the  topaz-rock  of  Europe 
is  known  to  answer  an  excellent  purpose  as  a  polisher  of  gems.  We 
have  a  right  to  predict  that  the  topaz  of  Connecticut  will  be  found 
superior  to  that  of  Saxony,  inasmuch  as  it  is  purer  from  foreign  in- 
termixtures :  the  European  topaz-powder  is  derived  from  an  aggre- 
gate of  topaz,  clay,  tourmaline  and  quartz,  whereas  that  of  Trumbull 
generally  occurring  in  large  crystals,  some  of  which  are  four  or  five 
inches  in  diameter,  can  easily  be  picked  so  as  to  be  perfectly  pure. 
To  prepare  it  for  use,  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  crush  it  in  iron- 
mortars,  to  agitate  the  powder  in  large  vessels  of  water,  and  to  sep- 
arate it  by  subsidence  into  qualities  of  different  degrees  of  fineness. 
If  suitably  prepared,  there  cannot  be  the  least  doubt  that  it  may  take 
the  place  of  emery  in  our  axe  and  gun-factories  with  great  advan- 
tage. 

Beside  the  topaz,  they  are  in  the  habit  of  employing  a  massive 
garnet  in  Saxony  and  Bohemia  as  a  polishing  material.  Of  this  we 
have  several  deposits  in  the  State. 

The  first  to  be  mentioned  is  a  bed  in  Plymouth,  half  a  mile  south- 
east of  Mr.  HOADLEY'S  factory.  It  was  opened  seven  or  eight  years 
since,  and  explored  to  some  extent,  under  the  mistaken  idea  of  its 
being  an  ore  of  iron  (5216).  The  layer  of  garnet  is  at  least  six  feet 
wide,  and  nearly  vertical  in  its  position.  It  is  very  slightly  inter- 
mingled with  other  substances, — quartz,  pyroxene  and  calcareous 
spar  being  the  only  species  observed  connected  with  it,  and  these  in 
trifling  quantities. 

A  second  locality  of  massive  garnet  is  in  Reading,  on  the  cross- 
cut turnpike,  four  miles  south  of  Danbury.  It  occurs  directly  by 
the  road-side,  and  is  extremely  abundant :  the  only  associated  min- 
eral is  a  granular  pyroxene,  nor  is  this  generally  present.  Masses 
of  the  pure  garnet  many  feet  in  diameter  were  common  in  loose 
blocks  (5226).  It  undoubtedly  here  exists  in  place,  and  in  the 
greatest  abundance. 

A  bed  apparently  of  inexhaustible  extent,  and  admirably  fitted  to 
the  purpose,  is  also  found  at  North  Madison.  It  is  situated  a  quar- 


67 

ter  of  a  mile  east  of  the  meeting-house  on  the  Essex-turnpike,  and 
very  near  the  road.  The  rock  has  the  appearance  of  a  fine  grained 
red  sandstone  (527),  but  when  nearly  examined  is  extremely  bril- 
liant. It  is  almost  wholly  made  up  of  garnet,  and  is  reduced  to  a 
fine  sand  with  great  ease.  It  is  connected  with  the  gneiss  forma- 
tion, and  attains  the  surface  only  for  a  rod  or  two  in  extent.  It  is 
much  to  be  desired  that  the  proprietors  of  the  localities  enumerated 
will  soon  cause  experiments  to  be  made  of  the  adaptedness  of  this 
mineral  to  the  purpose  here  specified. 

The  fine  garnet-sand  (528)  on  the  shore,  at  the  quarry  of  Mill- 
stone point  in  Waterford,  may  answer  the  same  purpose,  provided  it 
can  be  collected  in  sufficient  quantity. 

At  Andover,  on  some  low  land  owned  by  Mr.  ELISHA.  PERKINS, 
is  found  an  ash-gray,  siliceous  loam,  which  proves  very  useful  as  a 
polisher  of  brass  and  silver.  It  is  so  light  when  dry,  as  to  float  on 
water,  and  is  perfectly  impalpable  in  its  texture.  When  heated  to 
redness,  it  takes  fire,  and  turns  to  a  pure  white  color,  at  the  same 
time  diminishing  in  bulk.  When  heated  with  borax  before  the  blow- 
pipe, it  melts  into  a  transparent  glass.  A  sample  which  had  been 
dug  for  upwards  of  a  year  afforded  the  following  results  when  sub- 
mitted to  analysis  : 

Water  of  absorption,  7* 

Vegetable  matter,  -       23- 

Silica,  -       64- 

Alumina,  -  5' 

99- 

The  property  under  consideration  evidently  depends  upon  its  be- 
ing siliceous  in  its  constitution,  and  impalpable  in  its  texture.  It  is 
prepared  for  use  by  burning.  The  supply  appears  to  be  unlimited. 

A  similar  variety  is  said  to  occur  in  the  western  part  of  Monroe. 

Rocks  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  common  grindstones  do  not  ap- 
pear likely  to  occur  in  Connecticut.  The  qualities  essential  to  such 
stones  are  a  small  and  uniform  size  of  the  grain,  a  state  of  aggrega- 
tion not  too  difficult  to  overcome,  and  hardness  sufficient  to  abrade 
steel.  A  fine  grained,  quartzy  mica-slate  was  obtained  for  grind- 
stones in  Black-hollow,  Marlborough,  during  the  last  war.  At  that 
time,  they  were  held  in  considerable  esteem,  and  were  used  in  the 


68 

public  armory  at  Springfield  (Mass.).  They  are  not  in  much  de- 
mand however,  at  present. 

A  red  sandstone  quarry  (245y)  lately  opened  on  land  of  Mr. 
ASAHEL  Mix,  between  Bristol  and  Farmington,  promises  to  yield  a 
stone  closely  resembling  in  fineness  of  grain  and  the  character  of  its 
grit,  the  English  Newcastle  stones,  so  much  esteemed  for  grinding 
edge  tools,  especially  axes.  No  trial  has  yet  been  made  of  this  stone 
for  the  purpose  in  question.  Its  contiguity  to  the  large  axe-factory 
at  Collinsville,  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  ensure  it  an  early  examination. 
It  is  probable  also  that  the  fine  grained,  red  sandstone  of  North 
Branford  (249)  alluded  to  below,  would  answer  a  similar  purpose. 

Millstones  are  occasionally  hewn  out  of  granite  in  various  parts  of 
the  State.  No  material  however,  appeared  to  possess  such  advan- 
tages as  a  carious  jasper  (502,  589)  found  disseminated  through  the 
bed  of  porcelain-clay  in  New  Milford.  Provided  they  occur  in  suf- 
ficient quantity  and  in  masses  of  a  suitable  size,  they  will  probably 
be  found  capable  of  being  substituted  for  the  French  buhr-stone. 
A  cellular  drusy  quartz  (4936)  found  on  Whortleberry-hill  in  the 
south  part  of  Canton,  was  used  during  the  last  war  for  millstones. 
Several  acres  near  the  top  of  this  hill  are  strewed  over  with  large 
masses  of  this  rock. 

A  fine  grained  red  sandstone  (249),  found  in  North  Branford, 
seems  well  suited  to  the  purposes  of  the  marble-polisher,  to  be  used 
as  a  muller.  It  is  uniform  in  its  texture,  compact,  and  yet  possessed 
of  the  requisite  porosity  for  the  imbibition  of  water. 

No  good  oil-stones  have  been  detected  in  the  State.  The  only 
approximation  to  an  oil-stone  is  a  compact  feldspathic  rock  (165) 
in  Bethany,  found  contiguous  to  granite  (21).  The  mica-slate  of 
Bolton  and  Vernon  is  extensively  used  as  coarse  whet-stones  for 
sharpening  sythes. 

VI.  SOAPSTONE  AND  PoTSTONE. 

No  mineral  substances  are  in  general  more  easily  detected  than 
soapstone  and  potstone.  An  unctuous  feel,  and  a  softness  sufficient 
to  allow  of  their  being  easily  cut  with  a  knife,  are  the  chief  charac- 
ters necessary  for  their  recognition.  It  is  deserving  of  remark,  that 
these  ftames  (and  many  others  by  which  certain  varieties  are  de- 
nominated) all  refer  to  but  a  single  mineralogical  species,  which  is 


60 

talc.  Those  varieties  depend  upon  certain  accidental  diversities  in 
mechanical  composition  and  the  presence  of  foreign  substances.  The 
term  chlorite  is  employed  to  designate  a  dark  green,  firmly  cohering, 
granular  variety  ;  potstone  to  denote  a  lighter  colored,  finer  grained 
and  slaty  variety ;  while  steatite  or  soapstone  is  perfectly  compact  or 
impalpable  in  its  composition,  and  is  of  various  colors,  of  which  green, 
gray  and  reddish  white  are  most  common.  Chlorite  and  potstone 
have  been  employed  among  all  nations,  from  time  immemorial,  in  the 
fabrication  of  vessels  adapted  to  domestic  use.  They  constitute  a 
species  of  natural  pottery,  which  only  requires  to  be  shaped  on  the 
lathe,  or  with  the  knife,  to  fit  it  for  immediate  use  ;  and  articles  of 
this  manufacture  are  admirably  adapted  to  sudden  changes  of  tem- 
perature. Those  used  in  cooking  therefore,  admit  of  a  very  simple 
and  effectual  mode  of  cleansing, — only  requiring  to  be  heated  in  the 
fire  in  order  to  be  restored  to  their  original  sweetness  and  purity. 
The  steatite  or  soapstone,  which  when  taken  from  its  original  reposi- 
tories is  often  so  soft  as  to  admit  of  being  kneaded  like  dough  but 
hardens  on  exposure  to  the  air,  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  fine 
porcelain,  in  fulling  cloth,  for  marking  broadcloths,  for  polishing  mir- 
rors and  giving  lustre  to  marbles.  It  is  likewise  employed  in  the 
preparation  of  glazed  paper,  as  a  species  of  paint,  as  well  as  for 
diminishing  friction.* 

From  the  foregoing  remarks  it  is  obvious,  that  the  terms  soapstone 
and  steatite  are  erroneously  applied  in  this  country.  The  substance 
so  well  known  among  us  and  so  much  used  for  fire-jambs  and  linings 
of  furnaces  is  the  potstone,  whereas  the  true  steatite  is  a  very  scarce 
substance  in  the  United  States ;  still  the  term  soapstone  has  been 
too  long  in  use  with  us  to  allow  of  a  correction  of  the  error,  nor  is 
it  a  matter  of  sufficient  importance  to  justify  the  attempt.  The  word 
soapstone  will  therefore  be  employed  in  the  way  in  which  it  is  gen- 
erally understood  in  the  country. 

A  soapstone  in  order  to  answer  the  most  valuable  purpose  as  a 
fire-stone  should  consist  as  nearly  as  possible  of  talc.  This  is  indis- 
pensable, not  only  on  account  of  the  infusibility  required,  but  also  of 
the  freedom  with  which  the  stone  should  yield  to  the  saw  and  chisel 

*  According  to  HUMBOLDT,  a  savage  race  on  the  banks  of  the  Orinoco  live  for 
nearly  three  months  in  the  year  principally  by  eating  this  kind  of  talc,  which  they 
first  slightly  bake  and  then  moisten  with  water. 


70 

of  the  manufacturer.  The  foreign  minerals  liable  to  injure  the 
quality  of  the  stone  are  rhomb-spar,  hornblende,  and  magnetic  iron. 
Of  these,  hornblende  is  by  far  the  most  abundant,  and  generally 
exists  in  the  form  of  thin  light-colored,  almost  capillary  crystals, 
called  asbestiform  tremolite.  This  substance  consists  of  silica,  mag- 
nesia and  lime ;  a  compound  which  is  quite  fusible  compared  with 
talc,  and  one  whose  hardness  is  superior  to  that  of  glass.  If  the 
crystals  attain  any  size,  they  not  only  operate  injuriously  by  dulling 
the  stone-cutter's  instruments  and  by  increasing  the  fusibility  of  the 
rock,  but  render  it  brittle  and  more  likely  to  crack  by  heat.  When 
these  crystals  on  the  other  hand  are  mere  fibres  and  scarcely  dis- 
cernible by  the  naked  eye,  they  are  much  less  prejudicial  to  the 
qualities  of  the  stone  and  if  not  present  in  too  great  proportion, 
do  not  destroy  its  value. 

It  is  very  common  to  hear  of  soapstone  beds  in  the  southwestern 
part  of  the  State ;  but  none  of  them  are  fairly  entitled  to  the  name. 
The  rock  referred  to  under  this  name  in  Greenwich  (461),  Stan- 
wich,  Litchfield,  New  Hartford,  Wilton  and  Colebrook  (462)  is  en- 
tirely composed  of  asbestiform  tremolite,  and  might  with  great  pro- 
priety be  called  asbestus-rock,  since  in  some  of  these  places  it 
forms  extensive  beds.  All  attempts  to  quarry  and  to  slit  it,jnust  be 
attended  with  so  much  difficulty,  that  it  can  never  come  into  compe- 
tition with  genuine  soapstone.  Rudely  shaped  blocks  of  it  are  used 
to  some  extent  in  furnaces,  in  the  chimneys  of  smiths  and  for  com- 
mon chimney-backs. 

A  soapstone  better  entitled  to  the  name,  though  not  of  the  best 
quality  (374),  exists  in  Somers,  where  it  has  been  quarried  for  many 
years.  The  quarry  is  on  the  eastern  side  of  Durfee  mountain,  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  its  base.  It  occurs  with  talc-slate 
in  interstratified  masses  in  hornblendic  gneiss.  It  abounds  too  much 
in  tremolite  crystals,  and  grains  of  magnetic-iron,  to  admit  of  the 
most  valued  applications  of  this  substance  as  a  fire-stone  ;  besides, 
,it  is  injured  by  possessing  too  shistose  a  texture.  The  uses  to 
which  it  has  been  applied  are,  for  hearth  and  grave-stones,  and  for 
jarnbs.  At  present  however,  it  is  but  little  worked. 

The  chlorite  of  Newtown  (375)  is  well  adapted  to  the  manufac- 
ture of  ink-stands  and  similar  articles,  and  has  already  been  em- 
ployed to  some  extent  for  this  purpose.  The  true  soapstone  or 


•    71 

steatite  is  found  at  Bartholomew's  factory  in  Bristol,  and  at  two  pla- 
ces farther  south,  where  it  exists  in  a  limited  formation  of  hornblen- 
dic  serpentine,  forming  coatings  and  veins  (376y).  It  possesses  all 
the  requisites  for  the  purposes  above  described  as  pertaining  to  this 
substance,  and  it  has  already  attracted  the  notice  of  tailors,  who 
have  found  it  possessed  of  the  same  properties  as  the  French  chalk 
of  the  shops. 

VII.  MATERIALS  FOR  ALCALINE  AND  EARTHY  SALTS. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  under  iron-pyrites  to  some  indi- 
cations of  the  existence  of  alum-slate  in  Connecticut.  It  may  far- 
ther be  mentioned  that  the  alumina-sulphate  of  iron,  sometimes  alone 
and  sometimes  attended  by  alum,  occurs  as  an  efflorescence  upon 
mica-slate  and  micaceous  gneiss  rocks  at  many  localities  in  the 
State.  The  most  remarkable  instance  perhaps,  of  the  existence  of 
these  minerals  is  in  Plymouth,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the 
Waterbury  line  and  near  the  Naugatuck  river.  They  occur  coat- 
ing the  protected  part  of  a  high  projecting  ledge  of  mica-slate,  and 
arise  without  doubt  from  the  decomposition  of  iron-pyrites  and  mica. 
Under  somewhat  similar  circumstances  it  occurs  in  Salisbury,  Pres- 
ton, Oxford  and  many  other  places.  It  is  generally  known  to  the 
people  of  the  vicinity,  and  resorted  to  by  them,  for  domestic  use.  Al- 
though no  example  is  known  of  the  use  of  a  pyritous  mica-slate  for 
the  formation  of  alum,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  it  would 
answer  the  purpose  on  being  submitted  to  roasting  and  lixiviation,  as 
well  as  the  genuine  alum-slate.  The  experiment  is  certainly  worthy 
of  being  made  at  some  of  the  places  here  enumerated. 

Our  formations  are  singularly  exclusive  of  the  soluble  and  sapid 
salts ;  and  no  hopes  may  ever  be  entertained  of  procuring  common, 
epsom,  or  glauber's  salt  except  from  the  waters  of  the  Sound.  The 
very  rare  and  costly  salt,  borax,  has  not  yet  been  detected  in  the 
United  States ;  nor  have  we  discovered  the  elementary  acid  of  this 
salt  in  an  insulated  state,  with  which  as  it  exists  in  Europe,  borax  is 
so  easily  made.  Both  borax  and  boracic  acid  are  minerals  thus  far 
only  found  in  volcanic  districts.  One  ancient  volcanic  rock,  the 
trap  however,  does  contain  an  earthy  mineral  in  which  the  boracic 
acid  is  present  in  the  proportion  of  from  twenty-one  to  thirty-live 
per  cent.  This  mineral  is  the  datholite.  Its  other  ingredients  are 


72   • 

silica  and  lime.  This  is  decomposed  by  means  of  sulphuric  acid ; 
and  the  borax  may  be  formed  by  adding  carbonate  of  soda,  and 
withdrawn  from  the  silica  and  sulphate  of  lime,  by  crystallization. 
Should  this  method  be  attended  with  difficulties,  a  variety  of  others 
might  undoubtedly  be  substituted  with  success.  The  quantity  in 
which  the  daiholite  is  found  appears  to  authorize  its  being  pointed 
out  to  chemical  manufacturers  as  deserving  of  attention  in  this  point 
of  view.  Its  localities  are  numerous ;  and  at  some  of  them,  it  is 
quite  abundant.  The  most  important  of  these  are  Hartford,  South- 
ington,  Middlefield  and  Berlin.  The  trap  is  every  where  its  gangue, 
in  which  it  generally  forms  small  nests  and  geodes  (390,  393,  394), 
though  it  sometimes,  as  at  the  Rocky  Hill  quarry,  occurs  in  veins 
(391,  392).  Should  the  localities  of  this  substance  already  discov- 
ered be  inadequate  to  the  manufacture  proposed,  it  is  possible  that 
others  may  be  found  where  it  is  more  abundant,  since  it  appears  to 
be  a  very  frequent  mineral  in  the  trap.  The  importance  of  this  salt 
in  the  working  of  the  metals,  in  porcelain  and  glass-manufactories 
and  as  a  flux  generally,  will  attach  a  high  value  to  the  discovery  of 
the  materials  for  its  production  in  our  State. 

A  source  of  carbonate  of  potash  (potashes)  from  feldspar,  has  of 
late  been  ingeniously  suggested  in  Europe.  The  mineral  is  to  be 
be  calcined  with  lime,  and  after  having  been  left  for  some  time  in  con- 
tact with  water,  the  liquid  is  to  be  filtered  and  evaporated.  Feldspar 
treated  in  this  manner,  yields  from  nineteen  to  twenty  per  cent,  and 
mica  from  fifteen  to  sixteen  per  cent.  The  china-stone  quarry  range 
of  granite  would  afford  the  former  of  these  minerals  in  the  greatest 
abundance,  while  the  latter  might  be  obtained  to  advantage  for  this 
purpose  at  numerous  places  in  the  mica-slate  ranges.  It  is  not  to 
be  expected  however,  that  this  source  of  potash  will  attract  attention 
so  long  as  wood  continues  to  be  the  principal  fuel  of  the  country. 
But  it  is  gratifying  to  know,  in  the  event  of  the  substitution  of  coal 
and  peat  for  wood,  that  this  indispensable  salt  can  be  supplied  directly 
from  the  mineral  kingdom,  and  probably  without  any  serious  en- 
hancement of  price. 


73 


VIII.  MATERIALS  FOR  BRICKS,  POTTERY,  PORCELAIN  AND  GLASS. 

The  materials  for  the  fabrication  of  bricks  are  every  where  abun- 
dant and  of  the  best  quality,  throughout  the  secondary  region  of  the 
State.  They  also  exist  to  a  limited  degree,  in  some  sections  of  the 
primitive  ;  especially  in  regions  of  argillite  and  mica-slate.  Informa- 
tion respecting  this  subject  however,  is  too  common  and  widely 
diffused,  to  demand  any  remarks  in  this  general  report. 

It  is  a  more  important  duty  to  speak  of  the  resources  of  the  State, 
for  the  manufacture  of  fine  crockery  and  porcelain.  When  we  con- 
sider how  few  countries  are  possessed  of  these,  and  bear  in  mind 
the  heavy  tax  to  which  we  are  subjected  for  articles  of  foreign  man- 
ufacture, it  is  surely  a  subject  of  just  congratulation  that  we  have 
within  our  own  territory,  every  thing  essential  to  the  production  of 
the  finest  fabrics  of  this  nature.  And  though  we  have  not  yet  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  porcelain,  it  is  gratifying  to  find  that  the 
country  from  which  is  received  the  most  of  our  fine  crockery,  is  al- 
ready laid  under  an  annual  tribute  to  us,  for  the  raw  material  of  some 
of  her  most  finished  ware.  It  is  hoped  that  the  time  is  not  far 
distant,  when  Connecticut  will  add  the  fabrication  of  porcelain,  to 
the  long  list  of  arts  she  already  so  successfully  cultivates,  and  imita- 
ting the  example  of  the  French  nation,  be  able  to  supply  herself 
with  articles  of  durable  porcelain  even  for  common  use,  in  place 
of  the  flimsy  and  sometimes  deleterious  wares,  for  which  she  is  at 
present  so  exorbitantly  taxed. 

The  discovery  of  porcelain-clay  in  New  Milford  was  made  about 
thirty  years  ago,  by  a  goldsmith ;  who  first  employed  it,  in  the  fabrica- 
tion of  crucibles.  It  is  situated  three  miles  west  of  the  village,  form- 
ing a  bed  whose  extent  has  not  been  fully  explored,  upon  the  west- 
ern slope  of  an  elevated  range  of  granitic  gneiss.  The  clay  has  been 
dug,  over  an  extent  of  several  acres ;  although  the  principal  pits  are 
near  each  other,  and  contiguous  to  a  ravine  through  which  flows  a 
small  stream.  In  many  places  the  decomposition  of  the  parent  rock 
is  so  complete,  as  to  present  the  aspect  of  a  secondary  deposit; 
but  the  prevailing  appearance  is  that  of  the  rock  altered  in  place, 
through  the  decay  of  the  feldspar  and  mica.  Indeed,  the  same  re- 
lative arrangement  of  the  quartz  and  the  altered  feldspar  is  observed 
in  the  bed,  as  is  presented  by  these  materials  in  the  undecornposed 

10 


74 

rock  (418,  419).  Veins  and  seams  of  a  perfectly  impalpable  and 
white  clay  (420)  traverse  the  bed  in  various  directions,  analogous  to 
veins  of  feldspar  in  the  granite  of  the  neighborhood.  The  only  use 
hitherto  made  of  this  clay  has  been,  the  fabrication  of  the  common 
domestic  porcelain-furnace,  and  of  fire-brick  for  anthracite-furnaces. 
One  of  the  proprietors  of  the  bed  (Mr.  L.  HINE)  has  carried  on  this 
manufacture  for  upwards  of  eight  years,  giving  employment  to  five 
or  six  hands.  A  second  manufactory  still  more  extensive,  was  es- 
tablished in  the  same  place  two  years  ago  by  Mr.  ANAN  HINE,  who 
is  a  joint  proprietor  in  the  same  clay-bed.  The  products  of  both 
these  establishments  amount  the  present  year  to  about  $6000 ;  of 
which  $1000  is  in  portable  kitchen-furnaces,  and  the  balance  in  fire- 
bricks. These  last  enjoy  a  very  high  reputation.  They  are  largely 
employed  in  the  Olmsted  anthracite-stoves,  for  furnace-linings,  in 
brass-kettle  manufactories,  and  in  puddling  furnaces.  The  price  is 
about  two-thirds  that  of  the  Stourbridge  brick,  which  they  nearly 
equal  in  their  refractory  properties.  The  clay  selected  for  their  man- 
ufacture is  the  variety  abounding  in  small  quartz-grains,  and  which 
at  the  same  time,  is  as  free  as  possible  from  ferruginous  stains.  The 
material  is  quite  different  from  that  which  affords  the  English  brick, 
although  it  is  no  doubt  capable  of  yielding  a  very  superior  article.* 
Similar  clay  has  been  observed  between  this  bed  and  Sherman, 
though  where  it  has  been  opened  it  appears  somewhat  stained  with 
iron  (423).  But  a  bed  of  very  pure  and  white  porcelain-clay  (4236) 
exists  in  the  south  part  of  Kent,  about  two  miles  east  of  the  Housa- 
tonic,  on  Mr.  R.  PEAT'S  land.  It  forms  a  vein  of  many  feet  in 
width,  cutting  through  quartz-rock.  It  owes  its  origin  to  a  graphic 
granite,  which  must  have  been  free  from  mica.  Trial  was  made  of 
it  at  the  Jersey-city  manufactory  a  few  years  since,  and  its  quality  is 
said  to  have  been  excellent.  The  cost  of  transportation  however, 
was  found  to  be  too  great  to  permit  its  use  in  that  establishment.  A 
partial  vein  of  the  same  substance  is  known  in  the  southeast  part  of 
Cornwall,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  STEPHEN  CURTIS.  It  is  less  pure 


*  The  Stourbridge  clay  is  found  in  the  Staffordshire  coal-field,  beneath  a  stratum 
of  coal  and  of  mixed  materials.  When  first  raised,  it  is  almost  of  a  stony  hardness 
and  of  a  leaden  or  gray  color.  It  soon  crumbles  to  dust  on  exposure  to  the  air,  and 
is  easily  softened  and  tempered  with  water. 


75 

than  that  of  Kent,  containing  frequent  crystals  of  black  tourmaline. 
Besides,  the  feldspar  is  far  from  being  completely  decomposed. 

A  feldspar  admirably  adapted  to  the  purpose  of  forming  a  glaze  to 
porcelain-ware,*  has  within  a  few  years  been  discovered  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Middletown.  Its  application  was  first  suggested  by 
Dr.  BARRATT  of  that  place.  The  quarry  is  situated  in  an  extensive 
range  of  granite,  distinguished  for  the  whiteness  of  its  feldspar  and 
for  the  unusual  size  of  the  individuals  in  which  it  occurs, — masses 
sometimes  occurring  of  several  hundred  pounds  weight,  without  any 
admixture  of  quartz  or  mica.  In  some  parts  of  the  quarry  albite,  a 
mineral  whose  composition  scarcely  differs  from  that  of  feldspar  ex- 
cept in  the  substitution  of  soda  in  it  for  potash,  is  intimately  blended 
with  the  feldspar, — its  existence  being  distinguishable  only  by 
the  superior  whiteness  of  color  and  pearliness  of  lustre  which  it  pos- 
sesses (411).  The  situation  of  the  quarry  is  favorable  for  being 
easily  worked,  and  it  is  capable  of  supplying  an  unlimited  quantity 
of  the  material.  Seven  hundred  tons  were  delivered  at  Middletown 


*  The  applicability  of  decomposed  feldspar,  or  of  porcelain-clay,  to  the  manufac- 
ture of  porcelain  depends  on  its  loss  of  the  alkali  it  contained  previous  to  its  decompo- 
sition, tn  consequence  of  this  change,  the  articles  into  which  it  is  moulded  become 
capable  of  withstanding  fusion  in  the  intense  heat  of  the  furnaces,  becoming  only 
semi- vitrified,  or  converted  into  what  is  called  biscuit- ware.  In  this  condition  their 
surface  is  not  smooth,  nor  are  the  articles  impermeable  to  water.  They  require  to 
go  through  the  process  of  glazing  or  enamelling,  whereby  a  composition  which  is 
applied  to  the  surface  may  be  completely  fused  and  incorporated  with  the  body  of 
the  ware,  at  a  heat  which  will  not  soften  the  articles  or  in  any  manner  affect  their 
shape.  In  common  kinds  of  ware  the  glaze  is  composed  of  powdered  gun-flint 
litharge  and  common-salt,  the  disadvantage  of  which  process  is,  that  the  enamel  is 
so  soft  as  very  soon  to  yield  to  the  knife  and  other  agents  to  which  it  is  subjected  in 
common  use ;  and  besides,  the  rapid  destruction  of  the  ware,  the  oxide  of  lead  it 
yields  is  sometimes  injurious  to  the  health.  In  the  most  superior  manufactures  how- 
ever, the  enamel  is  derived  almost  wholly  from  pure,  undecomposed  feldspar, 
which  in  consequence  of  the  alkali  it  contains,  forms  a  colorless  glaze  without  the 
addition  of  any  deleterious  substance.  It  simply  requires  to  be  reduced  to  powder 
and  diffused  through  water  with  a  litle  borax  to  the  consistence  of  cream,  to  pre- 
pare it  for  application  to  the  biscuit-ware.  The  articles  to  be  glazed,  after  immer- 
sion in  this  paste,  are  subjected  to  the  heat  of  the  furnace,  whereby  they  become 
coated  with  an  enamel  harder  than  glass  and  unalterable  by  acids,  alkalies,  and  all 
other  agents  to  which  they  are  commonly  exposed.  By  mingling  pulverized  feld- 
spar with  porcelain-clay,  or  the  purer  varieties  of  potter's  clay,  a  basis  for  the  com- 
mon kinds  of  earthern-ware  is  obtained. 


7G 

last  year,  of  which  six  hundred  were  shipped  to  Liverpool,  and  one 
hundred  to  the  porcelain-factory  at  Jersey  city  near  New  York. 

The  same  coarse  grained  granite  in  which  this  quarry  occurs,  is 
spread  over  an  extensive  district,  proceeding  in  a  northeasterly  direc- 
tion with  tolerable  continuity,  in  high  and  broken  ledges  to  Roaring 
brook  in  Glastenbury.  It  can  scarcely  be  doubted  therefore,  that  oth- 
er places  will  on  proper  search,  be  found  within  this  formation  equally 
productive  of  this  precious  material.*  A  spot  in  particular,  between 
this  quarry  and  Maromus,  on  land  of  Mr.  CHASE  and  adjoining  the 
road,  appeared  to  offer  very  encouraging  appearances  of  this  mineral. 

A  vein  several  feet  wide,  of  a  very  soft  unctuous  clay,  was  dis- 
covered in  digging  a  cellar  in  Greenwich,  near  the  inn  of  Mr.  A. 
LYON.  The  same  vein  has  been  noticed  in  several  other  places, 
one  of  which  is  half  a  mile  distant.  Its  first  appearance  is  that  of 
porcelain-clay.  It  lacks  however  some  of  the  properties  of  that  val- 
uable substance.  Its  unctuosity  when  rubbed  between  the  fingers  is 
unusual,  and  its  odor  is  scarcely  at  all  argillaceous.  Grains  of  quartz 
and  feldspar  are  diffused  through  its  mass.  After  drying,  minute  la- 
minae of  talc,  or  of  decomposing  mica  become  apparent,  and  the  ad- 
dition of  hydrochloric  acid  produces  slight  effervescence.  The  only 
trial  thus  far  made  of  it  was  in  the  chimney  of  a  blacksmith's  shop. 
It  was  employed  as  mortar  in  the  brick-work  about  the  fire ;  and  is 
said  to  have  proved  very  refractory.  It  may  still  be  doubled,  how- 
ever, whether  it  will  be  found  valuable  in  the  manufacture  of  porce- 
lain :  it  might  prove  useful  in  the  fabrication  of  coarse  furnaces  and 
of  fire-brick. 

A  limited  bed  of  porcelain-clay  was  discovered  several  years  ago 
in  the  northwestern  part  of  Granby.  Its  quality  was  found  to  be 
good  by  Prof.  SILLIMAN,  to  whom  samples  were  submitted  for  ex- 
amination ;  but  the  quantity  in  which  it  occurred  was  insufficient  to 
excite  any  expectations  of  utility.  Favorable  indications  of  the 
same  material  are  said  to  have  been  observed  in  digging  a  raceway 


*  It  is  an  interesting  fact,  that  the  china-stone  rock  of  England  is  that  in  which  the 
tin  mines  are  found  ;  and  since  we  have  already  detected  several  of  the  rarer  met- 
als in  the  Middletown  quarry,  it  is  by  no  means  impossible  that  this  great  desidera- 
tum with  us  may  yet  be  realized.  The  finding  of  titanium  and  uranium  imbedded 
in  the  china-stone  is  a  singular  coincidence  also,  since  the  only  use  of  these  metajs 
is  for  staining  porcelain. 


77 

in  Bristol,  three  miles  southwest  of  the  meeting-house  at  Johnson's 
mills. 

Sand. — It  is  an  object  of  some  importance  to  ascertain  the  exist- 
ence of  particular  varieties  of  sand  adapted  to  the  different  purposes 
of  the  glass  and  porcelain-manufacturer,  as  well  as  for  the  construc- 
tion of  moulds  in  brass  and  iron-founderies.  But  a  single  deposit  of 
sand  suited  to  the  fabrication  of  plate  and  flint-glass,  attracted  par- 
ticular attention  during  the  survey.  This  occurred  on  the  shores  of 
the  Quosipaug  pond  in  Middlebury.  It  (331)  consists  almost  ex- 
clusively of  quartz,  the  grains  of  which  are  colorless  and  transparent. 
From  its  great  purity,  it  must  be  equally  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the 
porcelain-manufacturer.  A  bed  of  sand  suitable  for  inferior  kinds  of 
glass  exists  in  Eastfield,  on  the  Providence  road  and  half  a  mile  west 
of  the  Rhode  Island  boundary.  It  (325)  is  in  very  fine  grains  and 
of  a  light  color,  though  less  free  from  foreign  substances  than  that 
above  described.  The  sand  resulting  from  the  decomposition  of  the 
Stafford  fire-stone,  a  micaceous  quartz-rock,  would  be  found  very 
serviceable  for  moulds  in  iron  or  brass-castings.  It  gives  rise  to  a 
very  fine,  unctuous  and  infusible  sand,  and  would  no  doubt  be  valu- 
able also  in  glass-making. 

IX.  FIRE-STONES. 

Under  this  name  are  included  those  refractory  stones  which  serve 
for  the  linings  of  furnaces,  used  in  the  smelting  of  ores  and  the  fusion 
of  metals.  All  the  requisites  in  a  stone  destined  for  this  use  are 
rarely  found.  Such  stones  must  not  only  be  infusible,  but  must  not 
be  liable  to  crack  or  exfoliate.  The  presence  of  lime  or  magnesia 
unfits  them  for  this  application  ;  if  they  consist  wholly  of  quartz  they 
crack  when  heated,  or  if  there  is  an  excess  of  any  fusible  mineral, 
they  are  converted  into  a  glass.  The  stones  most  commonly  em- 
ployed are  quarlzy  graywackes,  micaceous  gneiss,  mica-slate  and 
steatitic  or  asbestus-rocks.  In  the  iron-works  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Salisbury,  mica-slate  is  employed  for  the  inner  wall  of  the  fur- 
nace, and  red  sandstone  from  Haverstraw  on  the  Hudson,  for  the 
hearthstone.  Trial  has  lately  been  made  of  a  shistose  quartz-rock 
(1816)  found  in  Sharon  on  Mr.  ABEL'S  land,  two  miles  south  of  Lime- 
rock,  for  furnace-linings,  and  the  result  is  very  promising.  In  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State,  quartz-rock  (172)  has  been  used  to  some 


78 

extent ;  while  at  Stafford  a  stone  of  intermediate  quality,  a  mica- 
ceous quartz-rock  (171)  is  preferred  to  all  others.  As  this  last 
mentioned  rock  enjoys  a  very  high  reputation,  and  is  beginning  to  be 
extensively  used  as  a  furnace-stone,  it  demands  a  somewhat  detailed 
notice.  The  quartz  is  arranged  in  lamina  of  such  thinness,  that  it 
requires  at  least  fifty  repetitions  of  them  to  form  an  inch.  Each 
layer  is  completely  coated  with  an  almost  unbroken  film  of  white- 
mica.  The  rock  cleaves  with  the  utmost  facility,  and  perfectly 
strait.  The  layers  of  quartz,  moreover,  are  made  up  of  slightly  co- 
hering, transparent  grains,  in  consequence  of  which  structure  the 
rock  is  a  very  weak  one,  and  may  be  broken  with  a  slight  force 
even  in  slabs  of  considerable  thickness,  and  it  may  be  cut  and 
dressed  on  the  edges  with  much  more  facility  than  the  softest  sand- 
stone. It  occurs  at  the  quarry  in  strata  nearly  vertical ;  and  is  shaped 
into  blocks  two  feet  square  on  the  broadest  face  by  sixteen  inches 
thick.  In  this  condition  it  sells  for  sixteen  dollars  per  ton.  The  de- 
mand for  the  stone  at  present  is  sufficient  to  afford  constant  em- 
ployment to  two  quarrymen.  The  blocks  simply  require  to  be 
so  arranged  in  furnaces  as  to  have  their  edges  perpendicular  to 
the  surface  of  melted  metal.  Some  of  these  fire-stones  at  the  fur- 
nace in  Stafford  after  they  had  been  subjected  to  this  use,  were  ob- 
served to  have  undergone  a  semi-fusion  only,  even  where  they  had 
been  exposed  to  the  most  intense  heat.  The  silica  on  the  exterior  of 
each  siliceous  lamina  had  apparently  been  adequate  to  the  saturation 
of  the  earthy  bases  contained  in  the  mica,  leaving  the  centre  unaf- 
fected ;  while  the  glass  produced,  had  on  the  whole  been  sufficient  to 
convert  the  stone  from  a  friable,  into  a  closely  agglutinated  mass. 
Those  fragments  and  masses  of  the  rock  not  adapted  to  use  in  fur- 
naces are  reduced  to  sand,  and  employed  to  some  extent  along  with 
lime,  in  the  preparation  of  a  handsome  finish  for  the  walls  of  rooms. 

X.  FLUXES. 

The  term  flux  denotes  any  substance  added  to  assist  the  fusion 
of  minerals.  The  number  of  different  fluxes,  simple  and  compound 
(some  of  which  are  metallic,  but  the  greater  part  unmetallic)  em- 
ployed is  very  great.  Of  these,  but  a  small  number  have  been  used 
in  the  large  way  in  this  State,  in  the  treatment  of  iron  and  copper- 
ores. 


79 

The  great  flux  in  use  for  the  treatment  of  iron-ores  is  limestone. 
Its  operation  depends  upon  the  presence  of  silica  and  alumina  inti- 
mately blended  with  the  ore,  which  in  the  white  heat  of  the  furnace 
form  with  the  lime  a  light  fusible  glass  that  rises  to  the  surface  of  the 
fluid  contents  of  the  furnace,  and  is  from  time  to  time,  withdrawn. 
Several  of  the  iron-furnaces  in  the  western  part  of  the  State  make 
use  of  dolomite  instead  of  limestone,  and  it  admits  of  very  well 
grounded  doubts  whether  a  considerable  loss  is  not  thereby  sustained 
in  the  fluxing  of  their  ores ;  for  there  is  a  very  material  difference 
between  these  two  species  in  their  composition.  The  first  consists 
of  lime  56  and  carbonic  acid  43,  whereas  the  last  consists  of  lime 
30*5,  magnesia  22' 1,  carbonic  acid  47*2.  It  requires  nice  observa- 
tions to  distinguish  these  species  from  each  other  ;  and  there  are 
cases  in  which  the  two  are  intimately  blended.  For  the  purpo- 
ses of  architecture,  or  for  common  mortar,  the  difference  is  not 
so  important ;  but  as  a  flux,  the  distinction  is  one  of  some  conse- 
quence. In  the  case  of  fluxing  iron  ores,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind 
that  in  the  process,  the  scoriae  and  glasses  produced  are  definite 
compounds  of  silica  (silicic  acid)  with  such  bases  as  may  be  present 
(lime,  alumina,  magnesia  and  oxide  of  iron),  and  that  among  these 
compounds  there  is  a  wide  diversity  as  to  fusibility  as  well  as  in  the 
quantity  of  the  metal  which  they  withdraw  from  the  product  of  the 
operation.  It  hence  becomes  important  to  add  the  right  kind  of  flux 
and  in  correct  proportions,  if  we  would  have  the  earthy  matters  rise 
with  facility  and  without  impoverishing  unnecessarily  the  yield  of 
metal.  When  dolomite  is  used,  magnesia  is  added  compared  with 
lime,  in  the  ratio  of  22  to  30.  Such  an  addition  is  undoubtedly  very 
injurious.  There  are  some  ores  analogous  to  those  of  Salisbu- 
ry requiring  a  flux  of  clay  and  limestone  within  certain  propor- 
tions, as  silica  from  40  to  60  p.  c.,  lime  20  to  40  p.  c.  and  alumina 
about  20  p.  c. :  others  again  require  pure  limestone.  None  are 
known  in  which  magnesia  can  be  employed  advantageously  ex- 
cept it  be  in  small  quantity ;  for  metallurgists  have  ascertained  that  an 
excess  of  magnesia  greatly  diminishes  the  fusibility  of  the  scoria?, 
and  interferes  with  the  free  working  of  the  furnace.  The  majority 
of  the  furnaces  in  the  Salisbury  region  employ  dolomite  instead  of 
limestone.  This  is  the  case  with  the  furnaces  at  Bull's  bridge,  at 
Kent,  and  New  Preston ;  while  those  of  Mt.  Riga,  Limerock  and 


80 

Cornwall,  employ  a  flux  which  consists  of  a  mixture  of  dolomite  and 
limestone,  but  in  what  proportions  has  not  been  ascertained.  The 
subject  is  worthy  the  attention  of  iron-masters,  nor  will  it  probably 
be  difficult  to  find  beds  of  pure  limestone  associated  with  the  dolo- 
mite in  the  region  of  most  of  the  furnaces,  though  it  was  not  detected 
in  ascending  the  Housatonic  before  reaching  Cornwall ;  here  a  mix- 
ture of  the  two  species  began  to  prevail,  and  continued  into  Canaan. 
With  proper  care  a  flux  of  sufficient  purity  can  no  doubt  be  had  in 
the  vicinity  of  Canaan  falls. *  Whenever  the  spathic  iron  of  Rox- 
bury  is  worked,  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  add  any  flux,  as  the  silica 
of  the  vein-stone  which  will  adhere  to  the  ore  will  doubtless  prove 
sufficient  for  its  proper  fusion.  This  will  depend,  however,  upon  the 
quantity  of  manganese  the  ore  contains.  Should  magnesia  prepon- 
derate over  manganese,  the  ore  will  demand  a  large  dose  of  lime- 
stone as  well  as  of  the  vein-stone, — of  the  two  taken  together  a  weight 
equal  to  half  the  ore,  and  in  this  process,  it  will  be  essential  to  avoid 
dolomite. 

The  Phenix  Mining  Company  procured  a  small  quantity  of  the 
magnetic  iron-pyrites  from  Litchfield,  and  of  fluor  from  the  topaz- 
vein  in  Trumbull,  with  the  view  to  employ  them  in  the  smelting  of  the 
copper-ores  of  Granby,  which  are  contained  in  siliceous  sandstone. 
How  far  they  have  been  able  to  use  these  fluxes  to  advantage  is  not 
known  ;  but  fluor  is  a  valuable  agent  to  employ  in  the  case  of  silicates 
in  ores,  since  during  their  fusion  together,  a  portion  of  the  silica  is 
expelled  by  the  union  of  its  basis  (silicon)  with  its  radical  of  fluoric 
acid  (fluorine),  to  form  the  fluo-silicic  acid,  which  is  a  gaseous  pro- 
duct. The  proprietor  of  the  topaz-vein  supplied  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  the  fluor  for  the  purpose  just  alluded  to,  at  sixty  dollars  the  ton. 
Should  other  copper-mines  be  wrought  in  this  country  to  any  extent, 
it  is  probable  that  this  deposit  of  fluor  will  become  highly  valuable,  as 
it  is  the  only  one  in  this  part  of  the  United  States  capable  of  affording 
it  in  quantity.  It  may  also  be  used  advantageously  in  fluxing  some 
ores  of  iron. 


*  The  most  convenient  mode  of  detecting  a  pure  limestone  is  to  pour  on  a  few  drops 
of  dilute  nitric  or  muriatic  acid  to  a  freshly  detached  mass  of  the  rock  :  if  the  effer- 
vescence is  brisk  (similar  to  what  it  would  be  on  chalk)  it  is  a  pure  limestone, 
whereas  if  it  yields  but  a  few  bubbles,  it  is  dolomite. 


81 


XI.    QuiCK-LlME  AND  WATER-CEMENT. 

Any  rock  containing  enough  of  carbonate  of  lime  to  slack  with  heat 
on  the  addition  of  water  after  calcination,  is  called  by  people  in  gene- 
ral a  limestone,  and  is  capable  of  being  employed  as  a  source  of  quick- 
lime. The  effect  of  the  calcination  is  to  expel  the  carbonic  acid, 
which  in  a  pure  limestone,  is  present  in  the  proportion  of  forty-four 
per  cent.  The  products  of  calcination  however,  will  differ  according 
to  the  foreign  materials  in  the  limestone.  We  may  accordingly  be 
said  to  have  in  the  arts,  three  principal  kinds  of  quick-lime  :  viz.  pure 
lime,  magnesian  lime  and  hydraulic  lime.  The  first  of  these  is  pro- 
duced by  the  burning  of  pure  limestone,  i.  e.  where  the  carbonate  of 
lime  is  present  in  a  proportion  not  lower  than  eighty-five  per  cent., 
the  remainder  consisting  of  magnesia,  alumina,  the  oxides  of  iron  and 
manganese,  and  of  silica.  The  magnesian  lime  is  the  product  of  rocks 
in  which  carbonate  of  magnesia  is  associated  with  the  carbonate  of 
lime  in  a  proportion,  between  fifteen  and  forty-five  per  cent.*  Hy- 
draulic lime  is  derived  from  rocks  containing  between  ten  and  thirty 
per  cent,  of  clay  (a  mixture  of  silica  and  alumina  in  nearly  equal 
proportions).  These  varieties  are  essentially  different  from  each 
other.  The  two  first  are  alike  adapted  to  atmospheric  uses ;  the  last, 
as  its  name  signifies,  to  subaqueous  applications, — having  the  extraor- 
dinary property  of  hardening  under  water. 

The  pure  and  the  magnesian  limes  differ  from  each  other  in  sever- 
al important  particulars.  The  pure  lime  is  burnt  the  easiest,  slacks 
with  the  greatest  violence,  and  is  reduced  to  an  impalpable  powder  or 
to  a  perfect  magrna  (according  to  the  quantity  of  water  added) ; 
whereas  the  magnesian  lime  slacks  with  less  extrication-  of  heat,  pro- 
duces a  powder  not  so  impalpable  (often  being  resolved  partly  into 
small  grains  of  the  size  of  broken  rice),  and  with  excess  of  water 
yields  a  less  perfect  paste.  The  pure  lime  again  is  superior  to  the 


*  When  carbonate  of  magnesia  is  present  as  high  as  forty-five  per  cent.,  the  rock 
is  pure  dolomite,  which  is  a  double  salt  of  carbonate  of  lime  and  magnesia ;  when  in 
less  proportion,  it  is  a  mechanical  mixture  of  dolomite  with  carbonate  of  lime  (pure 
limestone).  Dolomite  is  sensibly  harder  under  the  knife  than  pure  limestone.  It  is 
also  slightly  heavier.  With  dilute  nitric  or  muriatic  acid,  dolomite  in  the  unpow- 
dered  state  scarcely  effervesces,  whereas  pure  limestone  boils  briskly.  Intermixtures 
of  dolomite  and  pure  limestone  exhibit  intermediate  properties  in  these  respects. 

11 


82 

magnesian  in  its  caustic  or  alcaline  effects.  A  still  more  important 
difference  between  the  two,  relates  to  their  fitness  for  agriculture  :  the 
pure  lime  on  a  majority  of  lands  is  an  amendment  of  the  highest 
value,  while  the  magnesian  lime  is  said  to  be  positively  injurious,  at 
least  for  a  considerable  time  after  the  dressing  has  taken  place,  and 
consequently  is  not  employed  as  a  manure.  In  their  fitness  for  mor- 
tars and  cements,  the  magnesian  lime  appears  to  enjoy  the  preference, 
both  as  to  the  strength  andthe  hardnessof  the  work.  It  likewise  has 
greatly  the  advantage  in  whiteness,  and  appears  to  be  capable  of 
taking  up  the  most  sand  in  the  formation  of  mortar. 

Connecticut  affords  the  three  kinds  of  lime  just  enumerated.  The 
magnesian  lime  however,  is  by  far  the  most  abundant.  It  is  more- 
over of  the  strongest  kind,  being  derived  from  the  pure  dolomite.  On 
account  of  its  very  superior  whiteness  and  the  excellent  mortar  it 
forms,  it  enjoys  a  decided  preference  over  the  pure  lime.  Whether 
it  would  continue  to  do  so  to  the  same  degree  as  at  present  however, 
were  equal  pains  bestowed  npon  the  burning  of  the  better  quarries  of 
our  pure  limestone,  admits  of  a  doubt.  The  hydraulic  lime  does  not 
require  the  enumeration  of  its  distinctive  properties. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  principal  kilns  for  the  production  of 
the  three  kinds. 

1.  Magnesian  Lime. 

Hill's  Kiln  in  Reading. — This  quarry  enjoys  the  highest  reputa- 
tion of  any  in  the  State  for  the  quality  of  its  lime.  The  rock  is  large 
grained  and  remarkably  white  (35 \y).  Mr.  HILL  burns  twelve  kilns 
of  twelve  hundred  bushels  each,  annually.  Forty  cords  of  wood  are 
required  to  a  kiln,  and  the  burning  lasts  for  six  days.  It  sells  for  two 
dollars  and  an  eighth  per  cask  of  three  and  a  half  bushels,  at  the  kiln. 

Wildmarfs  Kiln  in  BrooTcfield. — This  kiln  holds  but  seven  hundred 
bushels.  It  is  burnt  several  times  in  the  year.  The  quantity  of 
wood  consumed  is  thirty-five  cords  to  the  kiln,  and  the  burning  lasts 
eight  days.  Its  price  is  ten  shillings  the  cask,  the  barrel  being  re- 
turned. 

Chapman's  Kiln  in  Ridgefald. — Mr.  CHAPMAN  burns  two  or  three 
kilns  only  each  year.  The  size  of  his  kiln  is  the  same  as  that  of  Mr. 
WILDMAN'S. 


83 

Mead's  Kiln  in  Ridgefield  (348).— This  kiln  was  not  in  operation 
when  visited  in  1835. 

Camp's  Kiln  in  Washington. — Mr.  CAMP  burns  a  few  small  kilns 
only,  each  year. 

Peat's  Kiln,  in  Washington. — This  kiln  was  supplied  from  the 
marble-quarries.  It  is  not  now  in  operation. 

Kiln  between  Kent  and  Cornwall,  on  the  Housatonic. — A  small 
kiln,  which  is  only  burnt  occasionally. 

Canaan  Kiln. — Reference  is  here  made  to  a  kiln  situated  half  a 
mile  north  of  the  post-office.  Other  kilns  exist  in  this  town,  but 
whether  they  afford  magnesian  or  pure  lime  is  not  known. 

Geer's  Kiln  in  North  Stonington  (218).— This  kiln  holds  but 
three  hundred  and  fifty  bushels.  It  has  not  been  burnt  for  several 
years. 

Greenwich  Kiln. — A  small  kiln  not  at  present  in  activity,  exists  in 
the  northwest  part  of  Greenwich. 

2.  Pure  Lime. 

Bassett's  Kiln  in  Derby. — It  is  situated  directly  on  the  Housatonic, 
three  and  a  half  miles  above  Derby  bridge.  The  kiln  holds  two 
hundred  and  seventy  bushels,  and  is  burnt  once  a  fortnight  during 
several  months  in  the  year.  The  burning  is  kept  up  for  five  or  six 
days  and  consumes  from  eight  to  ten  cords  of  wood.  The  lime  sells 
at  forty-five  cents  per  bushel  at  the  kiln.  In  whiteness,  the  lime  is 
inferior  to  that  of  Reading,  nor  has  it  attracted  attention  as  a  remark- 
ably strong  lime,  although  it  is  derived  from  a  very  pure  limestone 
(342,  343).  Whether  this  is  to  be  accounted  for  on  the  ground  of 
want  of  observation  in  those  who  use  it,  or  from  an  imperfect  cal- 
cination of  the  limestone,  it  is  impossible  to  decide  :  as  likely  to  be 
connected  with  the  latter  cause  however,  it  may  be  remarked  that 
the  furnace  is  exceedingly  defective  in  its  construction. 

Quaker's  Farm  Kiln. — This  quarry,  situated  a  few  miles  above 
the  last  mentioned,  affords  a  pure  limestone ;  but  owing  to  the  diffi- 
culty of  raising  it  from  its  bed,  it  is  now  nearly  abandoned. 

Bidwell's  Kiln  in  Watertown. — It  has  not  been  burnt  for  the  last 
fifteen  years.  The  limestone  is  very  pure  and  white  (345,  378), 
and  though  abundant,  yet  from  the  manner  in  which  it  is  interstrati- 
fied  with  granite,  the  quarrying  of  it  will  be  attended  with  considera- 
ble expense. 


84 

Weltotfs  Kiln  in  Watertown. — This  kiln  is  situated  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Naugatuck,  one  mile  and  a  quarter  below  HENRY  TER- 
RY'S factory  in  Plymouth.  It  is  not  in  operation  at  present.  The 
limestone  is  abundant  and  accessible. 

Wells'  Kiln. — Situated  one  mile  and  a  half  southwest  from  Zoar- 
bridge. 

Shelton's  Kiln  in  Monroe. — Preparations  are  now  making  to  burn 
lime  at  this  quarry. 

Kiln  in  Trumbull. — It  is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  topaz-vein,  but  is 
not  in  operation.  The  limestone  is  abundant  at  this  place,  though 
rarely  free  from  imbedded  minerals,  such  as  mica,  pyroxene,  horn- 
blende, &ic. 

3.  Hydraulic  Lime. 

Southington  Kilns. — It  is  now  upwards  of  ten  years,  that  hy- 
draulic lime  has  been  prepared  in  Connecticut.  The  greater  part 
of  it  is  furnished  by  the  town  of  Southington.  The  quarries  are 
situated  near  the  line  of  Berlin  in  a  narrow  band  of  shale,  between 
trap  and  amygdaloid.  The  rock  occurs  in  thin,  nearly  horizontal 
strata,  alternating  with  clayey  marls  and  shales.  It  is  nearly  com- 
pact, earthy,  and  somewhat  bituminous.  On  exposure  to  the  weather 
it  loses  its  glimmering  lustre,  becomes  softer,  attended  with  devel- 
opment of  oxide  of  iron  (291).  To  prepare  it  for  use,  it  is  partially 
burnt  in  small  kilns  so  as  to  render  quick  a  considerable  part  of  the 
lime,  after  which,  it  is  ground  in  mills  like  plaster.  The  quantity 
annually  supplied  by  the  town  of  Southington,  does  not  fall  much 
short  of  five  hundred  tons.  Kilns  of  the  same  rock  are  occasionally 
burnt  at  South  Britain,  (Southbury,)  where  an  abundance  of  the. 
material  likewise  exists.  The  coal-digging  in  Durham  affords  the 
hydraulic  limestone,  and  under  circumstances  of  great  convenience 
as  respects  the  contiguity  of  wood  and  water. 

Elliot's  Kiln  in  Northford. — This  is  a  bed  of  compact  gray  lime- 
stone (296,  2966,  2976),  contained  within  the  secondary,  and  con- 
tiguous to  trap.  The  bed  is  extensive,  and  presents  an  obscure  slaty 
arrangement.  It  is  cavernous,  or  amygdaloidal  in  its  structure  ;  and 
is  raised  without  the  aid  of  blasting.  It  is  burnt  for  the  common 
purposes  of  quicklime  in  a  kiln  holding  about  five  hundred  bushels. 
This  quantity  is  burnt  once  or  twice  each  year.  It  is  not  a  white 


85 

lime,  and  is  said  to  slack  slowly ;  but  when  carefully  prepared  by  the 
rnason  forms  an  excellent  mortar.  As  the  calcined  limestone  con- 
sists in  the  hundred,  of  lime  82,  silica,  alumina  and  oxide  of  iron 
(together)  15,  and  magnesia  3,  it  is  obvious  that  this  deposit  is  well 
adapted  to  the  fabrication  of  hydraulic  lime.  Its  constitution  fits  it 
also  when  burnt  as  at  present,  for  entering  into  the  composition  of 
stucco-work,  and  rough  cast-finish. 

Pure  limestone  as  well  as  dolomite,  are  both  extremely  scarce 
throughout  the  whole  eastern  half  of  the  State.  It  is  probable  that 
the  bed  of  dolomite  in  North  Stonington  may  be  found  extending 
itself  for  a  few  miles,  both  in  a  northerly  and  southerly  direction 
from  Geer's  kiln,  but  beyond  this  no  indications  of  limestone  appear 
except  in  the  mica-slate  of  Bolton  mountain.  At  the  notch  in  Bol- 
ton,  several  thin  beds  of  pure  limestone  (219)  make  their  ap- 
pearance, and  the  same  strata  occur  again  nearly  two  miles  north  in 
the  flagging-stone  quarry  in  Vernon  (3476).  The  overlie  of  the 
flagging-stone  here,  for  a  thickness  of  thirty  feet,  chiefly  consists  of 
a  calcareous  mica-slate,  in  some  layers  sufficiently  rich  in  carbonate 
of  lime  to  be  burnt  for  agricultural  purposes,  if  not  for  the  fabrica- 
tion of  mortar.  The  same  stratum  is  no  doubt  continuous  through 
the  range,  and  in  some  part  of  it  may  be  still  richer  in  lime. 

The  western  part  of  the  Slate  on  the  other  hand,  is  in  general 
well  supplied  with  the  varieties  of  calcareous  rocks,  although  the 
dolornitic  kind  greatly  prevails.  Still  even  within  the  dolomite,  it  is 
believed  that  extensive  beds  of  pure  limestone  exist.  This  is  known 
to  be  the  case,  particularly  in  the  towns  of  Brookfield  and  Danbury. 
Beginning  a  little  northeast  of  the  lead-mine,  a  belt  of  nearly  half  a 
mile  in  breadth,  including  the  mine,  passes  off  in  a  direction  towards 
Danbury  for  two  or  three  miles.  It  was  formerly  burnt  at  BANKS', 
two  miles  south  from  the  lead-mine,  and  at  Williams  &  Benedict's 
quarry,  one  mile  and  a  half  northeast  from  Bethel.  Indications  of 
a  bed  of  pure  limestone  also,  were  noticed  a  little  west  of  the  Dan- 
bury  meeting-house.  A  bluish  granular  limestone  in  Canaan  near 
the  falls,  seems  likely  to  be  sufficiently  free  from  magnesia  to  make 
a  pure  lime.  The  samples  examined  from  Limerock  in  Salisbury, 
evidently  consist  for  the  most  part  of  pure  limestone.  These  deposits 
and  many  others,  which  careful  examinations  in  this  region  will  un- 
doubtedly bring  to  light,  are  entitled  to  special  regard,  provided  the 


86 

distinctions  between  pure  and  magnesian  lime,  above  pointed  out,  are 
well  founded. 

The  Trumbull  and  Derby  region  of  lime  contains  no  dolomite. 
The  beds  in  this  quarter  are  doubtless  much  more  numerous  than 
has  been  imagined.  One  well  adapted  to  being  wrought  near  Hum- 
phreysville,  on  the  road  to  Oxford,  has  not  hitherto  attracted  at- 
tention. It  is  situated  on  a  hill  near  Little  river,  a  stream  on  which 
are  located  several  small  iron-manufactories.  The  land  is  owned 
by  Mr.  WASHBURN.  The  limestone  crops  out  at  two  places.  It  is 
connected  with  granite  beds  in  gneiss,  and  will  undoubtedly  prove 
abundant  and  of  excellent  quality.  Dolomite  is  also  wanting  in  the 
Watertown  beds  of  limestone.  This  likewise  is  a  region  of  great 
importance  as  a  source  of  pure  lime.  Indications  of  a  good  lime- 
stone are  frequent  in  the  north  part  of  Milford,  particularly  on  land 
of  Mr.  ENOCH  CLARK.  The  green  marble  of  the  Milford  quarry 
has  been  burnt  into  lime.  Its  foreign  ingredients  however,  were  too 
abundant  for  the  production  of  a  quick-lime  adapted  to  general  use. 
Moreover,  its  dolomitic  character  would  prevent  its  application  to 
agricultural  purposes.  The  argillo-micaceous  limestone  in  the  north- 
east part  of  Woodbridge  (168),  and  a  similar  rock  cropping  out  in  the 
argillite  by  the  road-side  on  the  Litchfield  turnpike,  near  the  house 
of  Mr.  T.  J.  PERKINS  (167),  is  worthy  of  the  attention  of  the  in- 
habitants in  that  vicinity.  As  the  limestone  is  free  from  magnesia, 
it  would  be  well  worth  burning  for  the  benefit  of  lands,  and  might 
subserve  a  valuable  purpose  as  an  hydraulic  lime.  Some  of  the  beds 
at  these  places  abound  in  iron-pyrites,  and  are  consequently  prone 
to  decomposition.  Such  strata,  if  broken  up  and  scattered  upon 
the  land  without  burning,  might  be  found  serviceable ;  as  the  change 
it  would  undergo  from  exposure,  must  result  in  the  gradual  formation 
of  gypsum. 

Before  concluding  the  present  section,  public  attention  should  be 
invited  to  more  economical  methods  of  burning  lime.  Fuel  is  be- 
coming so  scarce  throughout  the  State,  that  unless  radical  improve- 
ments are  made  in  the  lime-kilns,  the  use  of  lime  on  land  it  is  to  be 
feared  can  never  obtain  to  that  extent  with  us,  which  it  has  done  in 
all  those  countries  where  agriculture  has  attained  its  highest  perfec- 
tion. Many  of  the  furnaces  for  burning  lime  in  the  State  are  faulty 
in  their  shape,  and  often  unprovided  with  grates.  No  perpetual 


87 

kilns  are  in  use.  The  limestone  is  introduced  in  pieces  much  too 
large.  The  time  employed  and  the  fuel  consumed  in  the  burning 
of  a  kiln,  are  unreasonably  great.  In  Pennsylvania,  and  in  some 
parts  of  New  York  and  Ohio,  a  kiln  is  burnt  in  forty-eight  hours. 
When  the  burning  is  over  however,  the  furnace  is  completely  closed 
up  for  a  week,  whereas  the  average  time  of  burning  in  Connecticut 
is  a  week ;  and  here  no  attention  is  paid  to  stopping  the  passage  of 
cold  air  through  the  furnace  when  the  burning  is  completed.  The 
perpetual  kilns  of  Pennsylvania  yield  seven  hundred  bushels  of 
lime  for  every  eight  cords  of  wood  and  one  ton  and  a  half  of  anthra- 
cite, consumed.  In  New  York,  two  [thousand  bushels  of  lime  are 
burnt  with  twelve  cords  of  wood.  The  use  of  anthracite  coal  might 
be  availed  of  to  great  advantage  in  the  quarries  of  the  Derby  region, 
and  will  no  doubt  come  into  extensive  use  in  Brookfield,  as  soon  as 
the  contemplated  rail-way  between  Bridgeport  and  New  Milford  is 
completed.  It  is  not  however  fully  ascertained,  whether  the  lime- 
stone which  is  calcined  by  anthracite  affords  a  quick-lime  so  well 
suited  to  the  fabrication  of  mortar  as  that  produced  in  the  old  way. 
The  quick-lime  furnished  by  the  anthracite-kilns  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  which  is  derived  from  pure  limestone,  is  said  to  take  up  only 
three  and  a  half  times  its  bulk  of  sand  in  the  formation  of  mortar. 
Peat  likewise  might  be  used  in  this  Stale  for  the  calcination  of  lime- 
stone to  great  advantage.  It  is  extensively  employed  in  Europe 
with  the  highest  success.  Lime  is  in  this  way  produced  with  only 
twice  its  volume  of  this  cheap  combustible. 

XII.  STONE-PAINTS. 

The  practice  of  substituting  the  powder  of  certain  soft  minerals 
for  the  metallic  pigments,  is  comparatively  modern.  There  is  an 
extensive  mill  for  the  manufacture  of  these  lithic  paints  at  Miannus 
(Greenwich),  where  fifty  tons  were  prepared  during  the  year  1835. 
The  stone  to  which  the  preference  is  given  is  soapstone ;  and  the 
supply  is  chiefly  derived  from  the  refuse-fragments  of  the  stone-cut- 
ters in  New  York.  The  asbestus-rock  of  Stanwich  is  used  to 
to  some  extent,  as  also  the  serpentine  of  Hoboken,  (N.  J.)  These 
minerals  are  ground  with  whale-oil,  in  which  condition  the  paint  is 
sold  at  five  dollars  the  cwt.  It  is  said  to  answer  a  good  purpose, 
especially  for  the  roofs  of  houses.  Two  coats  of  it  are  found  to 
form  an  excellent  basis  for  a  single  coat  of  common  paint. 


88 

Mr.  E.  D.  GODFREY  has  lately  commenced  the  grinding  of  tal- 
cose-slate  (212)  in  Wilton.  The  rock  is  not  abundant,  though  ap- 
parently of  a  good  quality  for  this  purpose,  being  both  soft  and  light 
colored.  The  veins  of  heavy  spar  (sulphate  of  barytes)  in  the  sand- 
stone of  Cheshire,  are  also  beginning  to  attract  attention  with  a  view 
to  a  lithic  paint.  This  species  has  already  been  employed  success- 
fully in  Europe  in  the  composition  of  lithic  paints,  and  its  use  with 
several  important  modifications,  has  been  introduced  by  Mr.  FOR- 
REST SHEPHERD,  into  this  country.  It  may  certainly  be  said  to  ap- 
proach very  near  to  white-lead  in  purity  of  color  and  weight ;  and 
even  surpasses  it  in  inalterability.  The  difficulties  to  be  met  in 
the  use  of  stone-paints,  are  doubtless  connected  with  their  want 
of  affinity  for  oils  and  the  impossibility  of  reducing  them  to  a  state 
of  comminution  comparable  to  that  of  white-lead.  This  last  men- 
tioned defect  will  be  obvious  to  every  one,  who  reflects  upon  the 
great  difference  which  must  always  exist  between  the  finest  powder 
obtained  by  mechanical  means,  and  those  insoluble  precipitates 
which  result  from  chemical  combination. 

XIII.  DECOLORIZING  CARBONACEOUS  SLATE. 

A  bituminous  slate  found  at  Menat  in  the  Puy-de  Dome  (France), 
has  lately  been  applied  most  unexpectedly,  to  a  valuable  purpose  as 
a  decolorizing  agent  in  place  of  animal  charcoal.  It  occurs  in  thin 
layers  and  sometimes  in  considerable  masses.  It  contains  the  im- 
pressions of  fishes  and  traces  of  vegetable  remains.  Its  color  is  yel- 
lowish or  blackish  gray.  It  is  fragile,  easy  to  pulverize,  burns  with 
flame,  and  leaves  a  residue  of  a  red  color,  which  constitutes  a  true 
tripoli.  To  prepare  it  for  use,  it  is  burnt  or  charred  in  kilns  like 
charcoal.  After  having  gone  through  this  process  its  color  is 
changed  to  black,  the  slate  becomes  harder,  but  is  still  easy  to  pul- 
verize. It  is  now  suited  to  the  clarification  of  liquids,  and  has  been 
found  to  answer  a  purpose  equally  valuable,  if  not  more  so,  than 
animal  charcoal.  Care  is  taken  in  the  selection  of  the  slate  to  avoid 
those  pieces  which  are  penetrated  by  iron-pyrites,  as  the  sulphuret 
of  iron  if  intermingled  with  the  decolorizing  material,  is  apt  to  stain 
prejudicially  the  syrups  of  sugar. 

The  bituminous  slate  excavated  in  examinations  for  coal  half  a 
mile  northwest  from  Rocky  Hill,  in  Wethersfield,  (2776,  278)  pre- 


89 

sents  so  strong  a  resemblance  in  its  properties  with  the  description 
above  given  as  to  lead  to  the  hope,  that  it  may  be  found  to  possess 
the  same  valuable  property.  The  ichthyolite-bituminous  slate  of 
Durham  (27S&)  deserves  to  be  mentioned  as  worthy  of  examination 
with  the  same  view. 

XIV.  MATERIALS  FOR  ARCHITECTURE  AND  DECORATION. 

Materials  for  architecture  and  decoration  are  very  naturally  dis- 
tinguished from  each  other.  To  the  first,  belong  all  such  as  with- 
out particular  regard  to  their  color,  possess  the  strength  and  inde- 
structibility required  in  the  materials  of  large  buildings  and  heavy 
constructions,  and  such  as  at  the  same  time  are  found  in  sufficient 
abundance  and  under  such  circumstances  as  not  to  render  their 
quarrying  too  expensive  ;  while  to  the  latter  belong  those  rocks  and 
minerals  of  more  limited  extent,  but  which  are  possessed  of  delicate 
colors,  and  such  as  in  general  from  their  texture  and  hardness,  ad- 
mit of,  and  retain,  a  high  polish. 

Materials  for  Architecture. — Several  properties  are  essential  to 
constitute  a  good  building  material.  Of  these,  strength  is  undoubt- 
edly the  first  requisite.  The  material  which  under  a  given  volume 
will  sustain  the  greatest  weight,  is  the  best.  Numerous  experiments 
have  been  made  upon  the  various  kinds  of  rocks,  with  a  view  to  de- 
termine this  point.  The  following  table  illustrates  the  difference 
whicli  experiment  has  decided  to  exist,  among  a  few  of  the  most 
common  building  stones  : — 

Basalt,  51 

Porphyry,       -  50 

Red  Egyptian  granite,  20 

Black  marble,  19 

White  statuary  marble,  -  8 

The  next  general  requisite  is,  inalterability  from  the  external  agents 
of  air  and  moisture.  Many  rocks  which  are  firm  when  first  quar- 
ried, become  weak  on  exposure  to  the  air ;  and  others  again,  when, 
they  are  subjected  to  the  moisture  of  underground  situations.  It  is 
also  an  important  recommendation  of  a  building  stone,  if  it  can  sus- 
tain a  high  heat  without  suffering  disintegration.  Other  considerations 
will  demand  attention  according  to  the  use  to  be  made  of  the  build- 
ing material ;  as  whether  it  be  for  splendid  edifices,  or  for  ordinary 

12 


90 

structures  as  ware-houses,  fortifications,  bridges,  stables,  &c.  In 
the  former  case,  agreeable  shades  of  color  and  freedom  from  materials 
which  cause  stains  on  exposure  to  the  air  will  be  taken  into  the  ac- 
count ;  while  in  the  latter,  these  considerations  will  be  unimportant. 
In  the  latter  case  again,  it  is  desirable  to  find  quarries  capable  of 
furnishing  them  without  the  use  of  gunpowder,  and  where  they  de- 
mand but  little  labor  in  shaping  them  for  use.  A  degree  of  porosity 
is  also  a  recommendation  ;  since,  besides  rendering  them  lighter,  it 
permits  the  mortar  to  bind  them  together  more  securely,  and  fits 
them  to  receive  with  advantage  the  stucco-finish  and  water-cement. 

The  building  stone  of  Connecticut)  both  ornamental  and  common, 
must  be  regarded  as  constituting  one  of  the  most  valuable  resources 
of  the  State,  whether  considered  as  affording  a  supply  to  its  own 
wants,  or  materials  for  exportation.  The  principal  kinds  at  present 
in  use  are  granite  (the  term  being  used  in  its  widest  sense),  gneiss, 
sandstone,  marble,  sandstone-conglomerate  and  trap.  The  two  last 
mentioned  are  only  employed  as  a  common  building  material. 

The  ornamental  granite  found  in  the  State  presents  numerous  va- 
rieties ;  in  treating  of  which,  it  will  be  convenient  to  refer  them  to  sev- 
eral general  types  under  distinct  names.  1 .  Gray  granite.  A  fine  grain- 
ed rock  whose  materials  are  intimately  blended  together, — the  feldspar 
(or  the  albite)  and  quartz  forming  a  grayish  white  base  (sometimes  tin- 
ged with  blue  or  yellow),  through  which  minute  scales  of  dark  col- 
ored mica  are  more  or  less  thickly  sprinkled,  having  their  broadest 
faces  to  some  extent  arranged  in  a  parallel  direction.  This  is  the 
most  widely  diffused,  and  the  most  generally  employed,  variety  of  gra- 
nite in  the  State  (40,  41,  42,  426,  43,  44,  46).  2.  White  granite. 
This  differs  from  the  gray  granite  in  the  preponderance  of  feldspar 
or  albite  (or  of  both)  over  the  quartz,  the  mica  being  wholly  want- 
ing (32),  or  of  a  light  color  (25,  37,  516).  3.  Flesh  colored 
granite.  This  is  a  granite  of  distinct  individuals  of  feldspar  and 
quartz  with  but  little  mica,  the  feldspar  having  a  flesh-color  with  a 
shade  of  gray  (1,2,  26,  446,  466,  476,  45,  496).  4.  Red  granite. 
A  coarse  grained  granite  in  which  the  feldspar  is  deep  red  (136). 
5.  Epidotic  granite.  This  rock  is  fine  grained,  with  a  light  colored 
basis  of  feldspar,  quartz  and  epidote,  through  which  is  disseminated 
particles  of  a  shining  black  mica  (60,  61,  62,  63).  6.  Porphyritic 
granite.  Of  this  rock  there  are  two  varieties,  the  green  and  the  gray. 


91 

(a.)  Green  porpliyritic  granite.  This  rock  has  a  basis  analogous  to 
the  epidotic  granite,  except  that  it  includes  a  fine  grained  dark  col- 
ored chlorite.  Through  this  base  is  disseminated  middle  sized  in- 
dividuals of  feldspar,  either  of  a  flesh-red,  (53,  54)  or  of  a  white  color 
(51,  52).  (b.)  Gray  porphyritic  granite.  A  rock  with  a  quartzo- 
micaceous  basis,  through  which  are  disseminated  distinct  individuals 
of  white  feldspar,  either  large  (55);  middle  sized  (56),  or  small 
(50) ;  in  the  last  case,  the  rock  is  scarcely  distinguishable  from  gray 
granite.  7.  Chloritic  granite.  This  is  a  rock  apparently  peculiar 
to  our  region,  and  presents  two  striking  varieties,  at  least  as  respects 
the  color  of  the  chlorite  and  of  the  feldspar.  (a.)  Black  chloritic 
granite.  This  would  pass  for  a  sienitic  granite  unless  subjected  to 
close  examination.  Instead,  however  of  hornblende,  we  find  the 
black  patches  (107,  103)  to  consist  mainly,  of  an  intimate  mixture  of 
dark  colored  mica  and  chlorite  with  very  little  hornblende.  Little 
or  no  quartz  is  present,  and  the  feldspar  is  of  a  grayish  white  color. 
The  rock  is  extremely  tough.  When  moistened  with  the  breath,  it 
emits  an  argillaceous  odor.  (6.)  Green  chloritic  granite.  If  the 
last  rock  is  liable  to  be  mistaken  for  sienite,  this  is  nearly  as  much 
so,  for  some  variety  of  chloritic  marble.  The  feldspar  has  a  grayish 
purple  color,  while  the  chlorite,  which  is  also  in  little  patches,  has  a 
dark  leek  green  color,  and  imparts  the  prevailing  tint  to  the  rock. 
It  is  destitute  of  quartz,  and  emits  an  argillaceous  odor  on  being 
moistened.  8.  Sienitic  granite.  This  rock  contains  but  little  quartz, — 
consisting  almost  entirely  of  feldspar  and  hornblende.  9.  Pseudo- 
sienitic  granite.  The  variety  thus  denominated  is  a  gray  granite, 
through  which  a  black  mica  is  disseminated  in  patches,  imparting  to 
it  the  aspect  of  sienite. 

Of  these  varieties,  the  gray  granite  is  by  far  the  most  abundant. 
Its  geological  repository  being  gneiss,  the  prevailing  rock  of  the 
State,  it  is  found  throughout  this  formation  in  the  form  of  beds,  veins 
and  interstratified  masses,  as  well  as  in  blocks,  dispersed  through  the 
diluvium, — its  greater  hardness  and  freedom  from  iron-pyrites  than 
the  rocks  which  inclosed  it  having  preserved  it  from  decomposition. 
There  are  districts  indeed  in  which  it  is  less  abundant  than  could  be 
wished,  even  for  supplying  the  limited  wants  of  the  people  ;  while  in 
regions  where  it  does  exist,  comparatively  but  a  small  number  of  its 
quarries  have  as  yet  been  successfully  wrought.  That  of  Millstone 


92 

point  in  Waterford,  and  which  is  directly  at  the  water's  edge,  is  the 
most  extensively  worked  quarry  of  granite  in  the  State.     It  employs 
about  twenty  men.  The  rock  possesses  an  obscure  horizontal  cleavage, 
which  occurs  at  intervals  from  one  to  three  feet.     It  is  wrought  by 
drilling  perpendicular  holes  near  each  other  in  the  line  of  direction, 
in  which  it  is  desired  to  split  it,  into  which  iron-wedges  are  simulta- 
neously driven.     In  this  manner,  blocks  ten  or  fifteen  feet  in  length, 
can  easily  be  detached  from  the  bed.     The  rock  of  this  quarry  is  a 
firm  and  elegant  building  material,  and  has  but  a  single  defect  that  is 
in  the  least  calculated  to  limit  its  use.     This  depends  upon  the  oc- 
casional presence  of  minute  crystals  of  iron-pyrites,  which  impart  to 
faces  of  the  stone  after  long  exposure  to  the  weather,  a  rusty  appear- 
ance.    This  effect  is  visible  at  the  quarry  wherever  the  fissures  and 
cleavages  in  the  rock  have  admitted  air  and  moisture.     Portions  of 
the  rock  thus  stained,  are  called  by  the  workmen,  sap.    Fortunately 
however,  the  iron-pyrites    is  not  disseminated   through   the  whole 
quarry,  and  in  no  case  does  it  exist  in  such  quantity  as  to  weaken  on 
its  decomposition,  the  strength  of  the  rock.    Wherever  this  stone  can 
be  employed  in  sheltered  situations,  the  sap  will  not  make  its  appear- 
ance ;  and  for  those  parts  where  ornament  is  not  consulted,  as  in  the 
foundation  and  rear  of  buildings,  a  superior  granite  cannot  be  found. 
As  the  quarry  covers  but  a  few  acres  of  ground,  and  is  but  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet  above  the  Sound,  it  will  be  exhausted  in  ten  or  fifteen 
years  at  the  present  rate  of  working.     A  bluish  gray  granite  (436) 
has  been   explored  to  some  extent  at  Portersville  on   the  Mystic, 
about  sixty  rods  above  the  bridge.      Present  appearances  would 
seem  to  promise  a  valuable  material  at  this  place  ;  though  the  quan- 
tity cannot  be  very  great,   and  considerable   expense  must  be  en- 
countered in   quarrying  it.     A  fine  grained  blue  granite  (426)  has 
recently  attracted  attention  near  the  stone-quarry  on  land  owned  by 
the  heirs  of  Mr.  SAMUEL  STANTON.     Several  blocks  of  large  di- 
mensions have  been  dressed  for  use,  in  the  village  of  Paucatuck.    It 
remains  to  be  seen  however,  whether  the  extent  of  the  bed  is  such 
as  to  entitle  it  to  much  regard. 

Mine-hill  in  Roxbury  has  been  much  resorted  to,  for  a  more  shis- 
tose  and  lighter  colored  granite  than  that  just  described.  It  is  easily 
obtained  in  very  large  tabular  blocks,  and  might  with  as  much  pro- 
priety be  embraced  under  flagging  stones,  as  it  is  employed  for 


93 

paving,  as  well  as  for  building  stone.  Its  leading  use  however,  is  for 
underpinning  and  for  stepping  stones.  At  present,  it  employs  but  two 
or  three  hands.  A  similar  use  is  made  of  the  Willimantic  quarry 
and  of  several  others.*  The  quarries  in  Greenwich  afford  several 
light  colored  varieties  of  gray  granite,  but  are  wrought  almost  ex- 
clusively as  a  common  building  stone,  and  are  taken  in  large  quan- 
tities to  New  York  city. 

Other  localities  deserving  to  be  indicated  as  likely  to  furnish  val- 
uable deposits  of  this  stone,  are  the  following  :  Stonington,  Groton, 
the  country  between  Norwalk  and  Darien,  North  Fairfield,  north 
part  of  Wilton,  region  in  vicinity  of  Torringford  and  Wolcottville, 
Winsted,  western  part  of  New  Milford,  Canada  village  (Goshen,) 
Warren,  Marlborough,  and  Voluntown. 

There  is  but  one  quarry  of  the  white  granite  which  is  wrought  at 
present.  It  is  in  Plymouth,  near  the  woolen  factory  of  Mr.  HENRY 
TERRY.  The  bed  is  extensive,  forming  apparently  the  western  side 
of  a  hill,  which  is  above  a  mile  long,  though  concealed  to  a  considera- 
ble extent  by  soil.  It  is  the  most  beautiful  granite  in  the  State  (51 6) ; 
nor  is  it  surpassed  in  whiteness  and  transparency  of  material  by  any 
granite  in  the  country.  The  distance  from  water-communication 
only  prevents  it  from  being  a  source  of  great  value  to  the  proprie- 
tors. It  is  deserving  of  consideration,  whether  it  would  not  bear 
transportation  to  the  Farmington  canal.  White  granite  exists  also  in 
the  western  border  of  Voluntown  (34),  one  mile  southwest  of  Nor- 
walk (29),  in  Chaplin  (26),  in  Canaan,  and  in  the  western  part  of 
New  Mil  ford. 

The  flesh  colored  granite  (of  a  dull  grayish  tint)  is  particularly 
abundant  in  the  towns  of  East  Haven,  Branford,  and  Guilford  ;  and 
if  judiciously  explored  might  lead  to  the  discovery  of  quarries,  whose 
value  would  be  enhanced  from  their  contiguity  to  the  Sound. 

A  quarry  of  reddish  white,  quartzy  granite  is  situated  within  eighty 
rods  of  the  Thames  in  North  Groton  (696),  three  miles  below  Po- 
quetonnock.  It  is  owned  by  Capt.  STODDARD.  The  ingredients  of 
the  rock  are  so  arranged  as  to  impart  to  it  when  dressed,  a  veined 
appearance.  Its  texture  is  less  compact  than  is  desirable  for  a  gran- 


*  An  account  of  the  Haddam  and  Connecticut  river  quarries  is  reserved  for  the 
head  of  Flagging,  since  this  is  the  almost  exclusive  use  to  which  they  are  applied, 


94 

ite  to  be  employed  in  decoration  :  the  feldspar  is  too  minutely  divi- 
ded, considering  it  bears  so  small  a  ratio  to  the  quartz.  The  rock, 
however,  is  free  from  iron-pyrites  ;  and  when  dressed,  produces  an 
agreeable  effect.  It  is  much  used  in  Norwich,  and  has  been  sought 
after  to  some  extent  in  New  York  city  and  its  vicinity.  The  quarry 
employs  about  eight  hands.  The  proprietor  receives  six  cents  a  foot 
for  the  stone  ;  for  which  sum  however,  he  incurs  the  expense  of 
transportation  from  the  quarry  to  the  river.  The  quarry  has  yielded 
thirty  thousand  feet  in  one  year. 

Another  valuable  granite  of  the  pale  reddish  white  variety  exists  at 
Portersville,  situated  about  one  hundred  rods  west  of  the  old  bat- 
tery. Its  color  partakes  slightly  of  the  yellowish  tinge,  and  its 
grain  is  exceedingly  fine.  As  yet  the  quarry  has  only  been  opened. 
Appearances  indicate  a  bed  of  considerable  extent ;  and  its  short 
distance  from  the  river  must  contribute  to  enhance  its  importance. 
A  similar  variety  is  very  abundant  on  Candle-wood  hill,  distant 
nearly  two  miles  in  a  northwesterly  direction  from  Portersville. 
Small  quantities  have  been  quarried  at  this  last  place  for  upwards  of 
twenty  years.  Granite  of  a  similar  quality,  but  considerably  differ- 
ent in  appearance  owing  to  the  presence  of  thin,  slender  black  prisms 
of  mica  (446),  occurs  on  land  of  Mr.  SAMUEL  LANGWORTHY  at 
Upper  Mystic,  where  a  quarry  has  recently  been  opened.  It  splits 
into  long  slender  posts  with  great  facility.  Eighteen  hundred  feet 
were  quarried  last  season  for  Mr.  CHARLES  PHELPS  of  Stonington, 
at  an  expense  of  ten  cents  the  foot.  The  bed  is  situated  at  a  dis- 
tance of  eighty  rods  from  water-communication. 

A  red  granite  of  a  still  deeper  color,  is  found  a  little  north  of  the 
village  of  Upper  Mystic  (45).  It  has  already  been  used  as  an  un- 
derpinning stone  in  the  vicinity  of  its  locality.  It  works  freely,  and 
when  dressed  is  a  very  handsome  stone.  Limited  beds  of  flesh  col- 
ored granite  occur  upon  the  railway  also,  near  Stonington  point 
{466,  476).  A  variety  at  North  Stamford  (24),  is  a  rock  not  un- 
suited  to  ornamental  architecture,  and  even  to  many  purposes  of  dec- 
oration, as  its  whole  tone  of  color  and  effect  is  often  very  beautiful, 
and  entitle  it  to  be  compared  with  specimens  of  Egyptian  granite. 
Red  feldspar  is  the  leading  ingredient,  through  which  are  dissemi- 
nated albite-grains  and  a  semi-transparent  quartz.  Light  greenish 
mica  is  also  rather  abundant  in  the  compound,  with  minute  grains  of 


95 

the  same  mineral  of  a  black  color.     This  rock  is  found  in   place 
near  the  meeting-house,  and  is  apparently  very  abundant. 

The  epidotic  granite  is  very  common  in  Chatham,  west  of  the  co- 
balt-mine, and  at  Eastbury.  It  is  wrought  to  some  extent  through- 
out this  region,  and  more  particularly  near  Eastbury.  From  the 
abundance  of  mica  it  contains,  it  is  more  brittle  than  the  gray  gran- 
ite. It  is  therefore  quarried  more  freely,  but  probably  demands 
greater  care  in  dressing,  as  it  cannot  so  well  sustain  the  shock  of  the 
hammer.  It  is  on  the  whole  one  of  the  most  beautiful  varieties  of 
our  granite,  and  will  come  into  extensive  use  when  better  known. 

Green  porphyritic  granite  is  found  to  some  extent  throughout  the 
region  of  the  epidotic  granite,  and  may  be  seen  in  considerable  va- 
riety at  Roaring-brook  in  Glastenbury.  Still  more  beautiful  varieties 
were  observed  near  the  line  of  Brooklyn  and  Killingly.  It  is  a  fine 
rock  unless  it  contain  an  excess  of  mica,  which  is  rarely  the  case. 
Some  of  its  varieties,  especially  that  with  flesh-red  feldspar  (54) 
from  Killingly,  would  constitute  when  polished  a  strikingly  beautiful 
rock. 

Gray  porphyritic  granite  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  rocks  in  the 
State.  The  coarse  varieties  (55),  particularly  those  found  in  Derby, 
Bridgeport  and  vicinity,  are  sometimes  rudely  dressed  for  common 
uses,  and  present  a  singular  mosaic  effect  when  laid  up  in  fences  and 
in  the  walls  of  factories.  The  finer  varieties,  in  which  the  feldspar  is 
in  smaller  individuals,  is  scarcely  distinguishable  when  dressed,  from 
the  gray  granite.  It  is  quarried  a  little  northeast  of  Humphreysville, 
also  in  Thompson  near  New  Boston  (50).  At  the  last  place,  it 
occurs  in  beds  with  cross-seams  from  one  to  four  feet  apart.  Other 
localities  are  Hearth-stone  hill  (partly  in  Norwich  and  partly  in 
Franklin)  and  between  Abington  and  the  Factory-village  in  Ashford. 

The  black  chloritic  granite  so  strongly  resembles  sienite  (into 
which  rock  it  probably  passes),  that  when  dressed,  the  two  would 
not  ordinarily  be  distinguished.  The  labor  of  working  it  however, 
would  be  considerably  less ;  for  though  it  is  extremely  tough,  yet  the 
absence  of  quartz  and  hornblende  would  greatly  add  to  the  freedom 
of  its  preparation.  It  would  probably  rank  very  high,  on  account  of 
its  qualities  for  strength  and  inalterability.  As  it  is  very  common  in 
the  fences  of  Lebanon,  and  enters  largely  into  the  formation  of  a 
considerable  elevation  north  of  the  village,  it  is  no  doubt  a  very  com- 
mon rock  in  that  region. 


96 

Green  chlorilic  granite  must  possess  many  of  the  advantages  of 
the  variety  last  noticed,  its  ingredients  being  essentially  the  same ; 
but  the  effect  of  its  color  would  be  quite  different  and  entirely 
unique  for  a  rock  of  this  class.  It  is  difficult  to  say  which  shade  of 
color  preponderates,  the  purplish  gray  or  the  leek  green,  or  what 
would  be  the  general  effect  of  the  rock  when  dressed.  I  observed 
it  only  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State.  It  was  abundant  in  de- 
tached masses  in  the  diluvium  of  Stonington,  and  occurred  in  place 
north  of  Lantern-hill  in  North  Stonington. 

The  pseudo-sienitic  granite  (716)  exists  in  Chatham,  two  and  a 
half  miles  north  of  Middle  Haddam  landing,  at  a  place  called  Great- 
hill  (or  Stewart's  hill),  which  adjoins  the  cobalt-mine  hill.  It  has  been 
quarried  for  several  years,  and  is  decidedly  the  most  valuable  re- 
pository of  granite  in  the  State,  taking  into  consideration  its  conti- 
guity to  water-communication.  It  is  a  very  handsome  stone,  and 
quarries  with  great  facility ;  so  much  so,  that  it  is  split  out  in  large 
quantities  as  curb-stone.  It  is  dressed  with  greater  freedom  than  the 
fine-grained  granite  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  in  this  re- 
spect resembles  the  granite  of  Maine.  As  the  supply  is  unlimited 
and  the  nature  of  the  ground  favorable,  an  inclined  plane  will  no 
doubt  one  day  be  constructed  from  the  quarry  to  the  river,  which  is 
distant  but  one  and  a  half  miles.  The  number  of  hands  employed 
at  present  is  but  six,  though  the  quarry  has  furnished  employment 
some  seasons,  to  upwards  of  thirty  men.  It  supplied  a  large  quan- 
tity of  stone  in  1832.  to  the  contractors  for  the  Delaware  and  Hud- 
son canal,  and  has  aided  in  the  construction  of  the  fortifications  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake.  At  present,  it  is  chiefly  wrought  for 
the  supply  of  the  New  York  market. 

Every  variety  of  sienitic  granite  may  probably  be  obtained  in  the 
western  part  of  Litchfield.  The  want  of  internal  communication  in 
that  part  of  the  state  however,  must  for  the  present  preclude  its  ex- 
ploration. 

The  limestone  and  dolomite  (marble)  of  this  State  have  hereto- 
fore attracted  little  or  no  attention  in  architecture,  notwithstanding 
white  marble  is  a  building  material  the  most  consecrated  by  time  and 
approved  by  the  general  taste  of  mankind. 

Of  dolomite  we  possess  inexhaustible  quarries,  some  of  which  are 
capable  of  furnishing  a  marble  equal  in  beauty  and  strength  to  many 


97 

of  the  marbles  of  antiquity.  The  towns  of  Washington,  New  Mil- 
ford,  BrookGeld,  Danbury  and  Ridgefield,  also  those  of  Kent,  Sha- 
ron, Salisbury  and  Canaan,  particularly  invite  research  with  this  view. 
Most  of  the  quarries  and  lime-kilns  where  this  rock  has  been  ex- 
plored, exhibit  it  with  the  defect  of  foreign  minerals  (446,  463), 
with  too  large  a  grain  (350),  or  possessed  of  too  feeble  coherence 
(221).  The  marble-quarries  at  New  Preston  (Washington)  how- 
ever, as  well  as  several  of  the  lime-quarries,  often  yield  blocks 
adapted  to  architecture. 

It  is  only  at  New  Preston  however,  that  the  dolomite  is  em- 
ployed as  marble.  The  quarries  are  five  or  six  in  number,  and  al- 
most immediately  contiguous  to  each  other,  within  a  space  of  one 
mile.  Unfortunately  for  the  economy  of  working  them,  the  beds  are 
in  the  valley  of  the  little  Aspetuck,  and  at  a  low  level ;  consequently, 
the  draining  of  them  is  often  attended  with  difficulty.  The  conti- 
guity of  the  stream,  though  an  evil  in  this  respect,  proves  never- 
theless of  essential  importance  for  carrying  the  mills  by  which  the 
marble  is  slit  into  slabs.  The  number  of  mills  for  this  purpose, 
within  a  few  miles  of  each  other  on  this  stream,  is  sixteen  ;  but 
all  of  them  are  not  in  operation  at  present.  The  average  yield  per 
annum  of  the  quarries,  in  rough  blocks,  is  between  seven  and  eight 
thousand  dollars  ;  and  nearly  the  same  amount  is  derived  to  the 
mills  and  marble-shops  of  the  immediate  vicinity,  for  preparing  the 
marble  for  use. 

The  quarries  of  Sing  Sing,  Westfarms  and  Kingsbridge,  belong 
to  the  same  formation  as  our  dolomite-range,  and  fully  justify  from 
their  long  and  successful  exploration  the  opinion,  that  our  region  is 
yet  destined  to  afford  much  larger  supplies  of  marble.  The  econ- 
omy with  which  this  stone  is  wrought,  and  especially  the  polish  it 
receives  and  retains,  recommend  it  to  a  more  extended  use. 

But  the  most  valuable  material  in  ornamental  architecture  found 
in  the  State  is  the  sandstone.  It  is  a  stone  presenting  numerous 
shades  of  color,  from  nearly  white  (246),  to  brick  red  (247)  and  dull 
brown  (245).  Its  texture  is  in  general  fine,  the  rock  being  com- 
posed of  little  rounded  or  angular  fragments  of  quartz  and  feldspar, 
held  together  by  an  argillaceous  or  an  argillo-ferruginous  cement. 
And  notwithstanding  the  coherence  of  this  rock  is  often  very  feeble 
when  taken  from  the  quarry,  it  hardens  to  such  a  degree  on  expc*- 

13 


98 

sure  to  the  air,  that  it  has  been  found  suited  to  the  purposes  of  deli- 
cate architectural  ornaments  and  even  to  statuary.  Its  value  is  en- 
hanced by  the  fact,  that  it  occurs  in  nearly  horizontal  beds,  which 
only  require  to  be  wedged  in  a  perpendicular  direction,  to  cause 
them  to  separate  into  blocks  and  columns  of  any  desired  dimensions. 
Its  softness  is  such,  that  it  can  be  easily  wrought;  while  its  specific 
gravity  is  considerably  lower  than  that  of  granite  and  limestone. 
These  advantages  will  always  render  it  the  most  economical  building 
material  we  possess.  The  only  objection  that  can  be  urged  against 
its  use  in  ornamental  architecture  is,  that  it  is  less  enduring  than 
granite  and  limestone;  and  yet  the  sandstone  of  some  quarries  nearly 
rivals  the  granite  in  withstanding  the  effects  of  the  weather.*  The 
heavy  brown  hue  of  a  large  proportion  of  this  stone,  has  had  some 
effect  to  diminish  its  employment  in  the  more  tasteful  private  build- 
ings, the  opinion  prevailing  that  it  is  rather  suited  to  massive  edifices 
in  which  the  Gothic  style  is  copied.  This  has  confined  its  use  to 
churches  and  large  buildings,  excepting  its  employment  for  stepping 
and  underpinning  stones,  door-posts,  window-sills  and  caps.  It  is  es- 
pecially preferred  for  the  last  mentioned  purposes  in  buildings  con- 
structed of  brick,  as  its  color  harmonizes  so  perfectly  with  this  ma- 
terial. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  details  respecting  the  sandstone 
quarries  of  the  Connecticut  valley.  There  is  scarcely  a  neighbor- 
hood not  affording  this  valuable  material  in  sufficient  quantity  for  its 
own  demand  ;  while  the  great  quarry  at  Chatham  which  employs 
two  hundred  men,  furnishes  blocks  to  all  the  maritime  cities  in  the 
United  States.  Its  very  great  facilities  for  supplying,  added  to  its 
contiguity  to  the  river,  give  it  an  advantage  in  shipping  this  stone, 
which  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  other  quarry  in  the  country  will 
ever  be  found  to  possess.  As  a  very  peculiar  variety  on  account  of 
its  color,  the  quarry  at  Wapping  (East  Windsor),  is  entitled  to  men- 
tion. The  sandstone  here  is  of  a  bright  and  uniform  brick-red  (247). 

*  In  opening  quarries  of  this  stone,  the  utmost  attention  should  be  devoted  to  the 
qualities  of  the  stone,  with  respect  to  its  liability  to  decomposition.  It  is  often  a 
difficult  question  to  decide  from  masses  freshly  quarried,  or  from  their  comparison 
with  the  stone  of  quarries,  already  ascertained  to  be  good.  Important  light  can  often 
be  derived  from  an  inspection  of  loose  masses  of  the  same  stone  found  in  the  vicinity : 
if  they  are  indurated  and  firm,  no  hesitation  need  be  felt  respecting  the  qualities  of 
the  quarry. 


99 

The  most  interesting  deposit  of  sandstone  for  ornamental  architec- 
ture yet  developed  in  the  State,  is  situated  in  North  Haven,  at  the 
east  end  of  Mount  Carmel,  on  the  middle  road  between  New  Ha- 
ven and  Hartford.  It  has  but  very  recently  attracted  attention. 
Whether  it  exists  in  beds  of  sufficient  extent  to  justify  being  wrought, 
remains  to  be  ascertained.  Its  color  is  lighter  than  most  granites. 
A  light  flesh  colored  feldspar  is  the  chief  ingredient  in  its  composi- 
tion. The  quartz  present  is  semi-transparent,  and  possessed  of  its  or- 
dinary vitreous  lustre.  It  contains  a  decomposed  mineral,  having  a 
pistachio-green  color,  distributed  through  it  in  little  cavities,  which 
modifies  the  color  of  the  rock  when  fresh,  but  would  probably  dis- 
appear on  a  short  exposure  to  the  weather.  The  texture  of  the 
rock  is  so  firm,  and  so  fresh  is  the  lustre  of  its  ingredients,  that  it 
would  ordinarily  pass  for  a  granite. 

North  Branford  affords  several  very  interesting  varieties  of  sand- 
stone, which  will  merit  investigation.  They  are  situated  along  the 
western  base  of  the  Toket  range.  At  one  place  where  it  has  been 
slightly  explored,  it  closely  resembles  granite  in  color  (240) ;  and  at 
another,  it  is  very  fine  grained  and  of  a  light  red  or  chocolate- 
brown  color  (249).  The  quarry  of  Capt.  ROSE  in  this  town,  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  same  range,  is  well  known  for  some  dis- 
tance in  the  vicinity,  as  affording  a  stone  quite  analogous  to  that  of 
Chatham. 

The  sandstone  of  the  copper-region  in  Granby  (244)  is  a  pecu- 
liar, light  colored  variety.  It  is  already  quarried  to  some  extent, 
and  merits  from  its  contiguity  to  the  Farmington  canal,  a  more  thor- 
ough examination.  A  quarry  belonging  to  Mr.  COWLES,  two  and  a 
half  miles  from  Farmington,  is  valuable  for  the  same  reason.  Its 
quality  is  favorably  exhibited  in  several  buildings  in  the  village  of 
Farmington. 

Upon  the  common  building  materials  of  the  State  it  may  be  re- 
marked, that  we  have  but  few  rocks  unfit  for  cheap  and  ordinary 
structures.  If  we  except  mica-slate,  argillite,  talcose  and  chlorite- 
slate,  the  more  fissile  shales  and  marly  slate  of  the  secondary,  all  the 
others  are  more  or  less  employed.  .Trap  is  most  used  in  the  valley 
of  the  Connecticut,  and  is  not  surpassed  for  strength  and  inaltera- 
bility by  any  other  stone.  It  is  frequently  quarried  without  the  aid 
of  gunpowder,  the  seams  of  the  rock  being  taken  advantage  of,  in 


100 

detaching  it  from  its  beds.  The  natural  faces  of  the  stone  are  SO 
smooth,  as  to  require  little  or  no  labor  in  preparing  it  for  use.  Next 
to  trap,  coarse  sandstone-conglomerates  are  used  in  the  same  region. 
Many  of  these  are  so  soft  as  scarcely  to  cohere  when  raised  from 
their  beds,  but  after  a  short  exposure  to  the  air  they  become  firm ; 
and  when  laid  up  in  mortar,  form  a  most  durable  building-material, 
and  one  well  adapted  to  receiving  the  stucco-finish. 

Common  building-stone  is  quarried  at  several  places  in  the  State, 
for  exportation.  It  is  generally  spoken  of  as  foundation-stone,  or  as 
fort  or  block-stone.  Large  quantities  are  shipped  from  the  quarries 
situated  immediately  on  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut  and  the 
Thames,  to  be  employed  in  New  York  and  in  the  public  works  along 
the  coast.  The  quarries  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  at  Haddam 
are  particularly  engaged  in  this  business,  and  employ  forty  or  fifty 
men.  LORD'S  quarry  in  Lyme  is  well  located  for  affording  this 
kind  of  stone.  In  1832  and  1833  it  employed  upwards  of  thirty 
hands,  being  then  engaged  in  furnishing  stone  for  the  construction  of 
canal-locks  in  New  Jersey.  The  stone  for  the  foundation-work  of 
the  Merchants'  Exchange  in  New  York  was  supplied  during  the 
last  season  from  this  quarry. 

CHAPMAN'S  quarry  of  granitic-gneiss  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Thames  in  Groton,  a  few  miles  above  New  London,  is  also  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  furnishing  block-stone.  Twelve  hands  were 
employed  here  last  summer.  The  stone  is  quarried  at  an  ex- 
pense of  twelve  cents  the  foot,  and  its  freight  to  New  York  costs 
from  six  to  eight  cents.  A  quarry  for  similar  stone  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river  in  Waterford,  was  worked  five  years  ago  to  furnish 
stone  for  the  public  works  at  Pensacola.  Common  building  stone  is 
extensively  quarried  also  at  Greenwich,  both  for  the  construction  of 
public  works  and  for  ordinary  building  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

It  will  not  be  necessary  to  mention  many  of  the  quarries  of  com- 
mon building-material  for  home-consumption.  The  city  of  Hartford 
is  chiefly  supplied  from  the  trap  of  Rocky  Hill,  while  New  Haven 
in  addition  to  an  extensive  use  of  the  same  material  from  East  and 
West  Rock,  derives  a  large  amount  of  building-stone  from  the  sand- 
stone-conglomerate of  East  Haven.  The  quarries  of  the  last  men- 
tioned rock  gave  employment  to  fifty  hands  during  the  last  summer. 
A  coarse  conglomerate  (2436)  is  quarried  at  the  west  end  of  Mt.  Car- 


mel  in  Hamden.  It  is  worked  to  much  advantage,  and  being  within 
eighty  rods  of  the  canal  must  be  a  source  of  great  accommodation 
to  the  vicinity.  The  thick  micaceous  quartz-rock  in  Killingly  is  one 
of  the  most  convenient  building  stones  for  common  purposes  in  the 
State,  and  is  much  employed  in  the  construction  of  factories.  A  pe- 
culiar granitic  gneiss  (866)  at  Union  village,  Plainfield,  in  consequence 
of  natural  cleavages,  is  advantageously  used  for  the  same  purpose. 

Materials  for  Decoration. — By  these  is  meant  such  rocks  and 
minerals  as  are  employed  for  monuments,  fountains,  statues,  mantel- 
pieces, table-tops,  and  the  subordinate  parts  of  the  most  splendid  edi- 
fices, as  door-steps,  posts,  sills,  &c. 

The  white  marble  of  Washington  has  long  been  in  high  repute  for 
many  of  the  purposes  of  decoration.  It  is  of  an  unstained  white 
color,  and  when  in  masses  sufficiently  free  from  tremolite  and  not  too 
tender  in  its  texture,  is  admirably  adapted  to  monuments,  for  which 
purpose  it  is  mostly  employed.  The  quarries  from  whence  it  is  ob- 
tained have  already  been  mentioned,  and  form  a  range  along  a  narrow 
valley  of  one  or  two  miles  in  extent,  the  limestone  being  only  a  few 
rods  wide,  and  scarcely  protruding  above  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

Connecticut  possesses  however,  in  the  green  marbles  of  Milford, 
a  material  of  decoration  much  more  beautiful  and  highly  prized  than 
white  marble.  These  were  first  detected  in  1811  by  Mr.  SOLOMON 
BALDWIN,  a  student  of  Yale  College  ;  and  were  brought  into  notice 
by  Prof.  SILLIMAN.  Two  quarries  were  soon  after  opened,  one 
near  the  village  of  Milford  and  called  the  Milford  quarry,  the  other 
two  miles  and  a  half  west  of  New  Haven,  and  called  the  New  Haven 
quarry.  They  were  wrought  with  considerable  activity  for  several 
years,  and  furnished  an  abundance  of  very  rich  marble  :  but  as  the 
working  of  them  was  attended  with  heavy  expenses,  from  the  diffi- 
culty of  obtaining  blocks  of  large  dimensions  that  were  perfectly 
sound,  and  from  the  labor  required  in  sawing  and  polishing,  they 
were  in  a  few  years  abandoned ;  and  have  for  a  long  time  been  in  a 
neglected  condition.  The  experiment  proved  an  unfortunate  one 
therefore,  not  from  any  deficiency  of  marble  or  its  lack  of  beauty, 
for  these  were  both  fully  admitted;  but  from  a  want  of  wealth  and 
taste  in  the  country  to  sustain  the  enterprise.  It  was  perhaps  an  un- 
fortunate circumstance  that  the  whole  of  the  marble  afforded  by 
these  quarries  was  denominated  the  verd  antique,  whereas  but  a 


:\l:/::i-v  102 

small  part  of  that  furnished  only  by  the  Milford  quarry,  is  strictly  en- 
titled to  this  name.  Had  this  distinction  been  attended  to,  and  such 
slabs  and  blocks  as  possessed  this  character  been  carefully  selected, 
it  is  possible  that  a  demand  for  it  might  have  been  found  in  Europe 
sufficient  to  have  sustained  the  undertaking.* 

The  quarry  at  Milford  is  capable  of  furnishing  abundant  supplies 
of  this  highly  valued  marble  (230)  5  although  from  the  circumstance 
that  it  occupies  narrow  and  irregular  seams  among  the  veined  mar- 
ble, blocks  and  slabs  of  any  size  must  always  be  dear  compared  with 
pieces  sawn  as  formerly  without  regard  to  its  separation  from  the 
more  common  kind.  And  yet  as  we  continue  to  derive  our  ideas  of 
what  is  elegant  in  decoration  from  Europe,  and  come  to  possess 
more  and  more  the  means  of  gratifying  a  taste  for  luxury,  it  cannot 
be  doubted  that  this  marble  is  destined  eventually,  to  come  into  high 
estimation  and  demand.  Whenever  the  attempt  to  re-work  it  is 
made,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  experience  of  the  past  will  prevent 
its  use  for  monuments  exposed  to  the  weather  ;  for  besides  the  in- 
congruity of  its  color  with  the  marbles  usually  employed  for  this  pur- 
pose, it  soon  loses  its  lustre  and  even  its  color,  from  the  action  of 
the  weather  on  the  grains  of  magnetic  iron-ore  it  contains. 

The  New  Haven  marble,  though  destitute  of  the  accidental,  and 
in  some  measure  classical  value  which  pertains  to  the  Milford  vari- 
ety, is  nevertheless  a  beautiful  material  for  decoration.  In  vivacity  of 
colors  and  the  delicacy  of  their  arrangement,  it  is  hardly  capable  of  be- 
ing surpassed.  It  may  be  described  as  a  bluish  gray  or  dove-colored 
limestone  clouded  with  greenish  yellow  serpentine,  the  latter  contain- 
ing black  grains  and  short  veins  of  magnetic  iron-ore.  The  disposi- 
tion of  the  colors  is  cloud-like,  flamed  and  veined.  It  pslishes  with 


*  The  genuine  verd  antique  is  an  aggregate  of  white  limestone,  green  talc  and 
blackish  green  serpentine,  the  last  ingredient  being  so  arranged  through  the  two 
first,  in  angular,  ovoidal,  cubical  and  vein-like  masses,  as  to  impart  to  the  rock  a 
brecciated  appearance.  Wherever  in  a  block,  these  pebble-like  masses  are  want- 
ing the  verd  antique  ceases ;  although  a  very  handsome,  green,  veined  marble  may  re- 
main. This  precious  marble  was  originally  obtained  as  it  is  supposed,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Thessalonica  in  Macedonia ;  or  as  some  maintain,  from  Lacedemonium 
in  the  Morea.  At  present  however,  it  is  only  met  with,  in  small  fragments  and 
scattered  blocks  among  the  ruins  of  Roman  and  Etruscan  cities;  and  so  scarce  has  it 
become,  that  its  price  in  Paris  is  thirty  dollars  the  cubic  foot.  Its  use  is  therefore  ex- 
tremely limited,  and  confined  only  to  the  more  costly  articles  of  furniture. 


103 

difficulty  in  consequence  of  the  iron-ore  it  contains,  which  though  it 
heightens  its  beauty,  unfits  it  for  exposure  to  the  weather. 

Several  of  the  granitic  rocks  in  the  State  will  one  day  attract  at- 
tention for  decoration  ;  for  although  the  slitting  and  polishing  of 
them  is  attended  with  great  expense,  yet  when  polished  they  are  not 
liahle  to  be  scratched  or  marred  by  use  like  the  marbles  and  softer 
stones.  The  green  porphyritic  (51,  54),  the  green  chloride  (127), 
and  the  red  (24),  granites  are  the  most  likely  to  become  important  in 
this  view.  The  altered  chloritic  slate  (210,  211),  may  prove  valua- 
ble for  the  same  purpose. 

XV.  MATERIALS  FOR  FLAGGING,  TILING  AND  PAVING. 

The  flagging-stone  is  distinguished  from  ornamental  and  common 
building-stone,  by  such  an  arrangement  of  its  ingredients  as  to  allow 
it  to  split  freely  but  in  a  single  direction.  This  quality  is  usually 
imparted  by  mica,  though  sometimes  talc  or  hornblende  contribute 
to  the  effect.  Such  stone,  if  dressed  in  blocks  so  as  to  show  sur- 
faces in  more  than  one  direction,  will  necessarily  exhibit  a  want  of 
correspondence  in  color  on  the  different  sides ;  besides  its  strength  is 
not  uniform  in  each  direction, — circumstances  which  operate  unfavora- 
bly to  its  use  as  building-stone,  while  they  enhance  its  value  for  flag- 
ging and  tiling. 

The  flagging-stone  of  the  State  is  referable  to  the  following 
rocks, — gneiss,  micaceous  quartz-rock,  mica-slate,  and  sandstone 
slate ;  and  together  constitute  a  resource  fully  equal  to  its  build- 
ing-materials. The  quarries  of  gneiss  on  the  Connecticut  river 
rank  very  high  in  importance,  not  only  on  account  of  the  intrinsic 
excellence  they  possess,  but  from  their  proximity  to  the  river.  They 
are  situated  at  Middletown,  Chatham,  at  Haddam  on  both  sides  of  the 
river,  and  also  at  Chester,  Hadlyme  and  Essex;  and  they  are  remark- 
able for  the  uniformity  of  their  character  in  every  place  where  they 
are  explored  in  these  towns,  as  well  as  further  southwest  in  Madi- 
son, where  extensive  quarries  also  exist.  It  is  difficult  to  ascertain 
the  number  of  hands  employed  in  quarrying  this  rock;  but  from 
such  facts  as  could  be  collected,  it  is  believed  that  they  ordinarily 
fall  but  little  below  five  hundred.  The  properties  of  the  gneiss  are  in 
a  measure  peculiar:  at  least,  no  rock  precisely  resembles  it  in  any  part 
of  the  State.  Its  leading  peculiarities  depend  upon  its  black  mica 


104 

and  transparent  grains  of  albite.  These  are  arranged  in  thin,  strait, 
and  parallel  layers,  giving  to  surfaces  produced  by  cross-fracture  a 
banded  appearance  of  black  and  gray  ;  while  the  surfaces  resulting 
from  cleavage  are  almost  black.  Both  the  mica  and  the  albite  pos- 
sess high  degrees  of  lustre,  which  impart  to  the  rock  a  very  brilliant 
effect, — rendering  fresh  slabs  of  it  almost  insupportable  to  the  eyes,  in 
a  strong  light  of  the  sun.  The  cleavages  do  not  take  place  with  the 
greatest  freedom,  and  can  rarely  be  effected,  so  as  to  divide  the  rock 
into  slabs  of  less  than  six  inches  in  thickness.  They  are  particularly 
prone  to  occur  where  the  mica  is  most  abundant,  and  this  in  general 
is  contiguous  to  those  layers  of  albite  which  are  made  up  of  larger 
individuals  than  the  average  size.  The  rock  contains  very  little 
quartz.  Hornblende  is  occasionally  present,  which  is  of  a  black 
color,  highly  crystalline,  and  brilliant  in  its  lustre.  The  process  of 
quarrying  appears  to  be  conducted  with  the  greater  facility,  from  the 
highly  inclined  position  of  the  strata.  Slabs  of  any  dimensions  are 
easily  procured.  Its  great  use  seems  to  be  for  flag  and  curb-stones, 
though  it  is  also  employed  extensively  in  the  construction  of  wharves, 
bridges,  breakwaters  and  fortifications,  for  which  purposes  its  strength 
and  inalterability  render  it  very  desirable.  It  is  likewise  used  for 
underpinning  stones,  and  for  posts  to  gateways  and  fences  which  in 
some  instances  are  covered  by  wood.  As  it  is  a  material  of  great 
importance  in  paving,  it  is  sought  for  in  all  the  large  cities,  being  ex- 
tensively used  in  Boston,  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  of  late 
has  been  introduced  into  Charleston  and  New  Orleans,  where  it  is 
likely  to  prove  highly  important  in  the  paving  improvements  recently 
commenced  in  these  cities.  It  may  well  be  doubted  whether  any 
material  will  be  brought  to  light  in  the  country,  better  adapted  either 
in  quality  or  local  situation  than  the  gneiss  of  the  Connecticut  river, 
for  satisfying  these  demands. 

In  the  northwestern  part  of  Lebanon,  a  little  east  of  what  is  called 
Hearth-stone  hill,  a  very  valuable  flagging  is  quarried.  It  consists 
of  a  feldspathic  gneiss  (896,  906,  916).  It  is  very  thinly  stratified, 
strait  and  easily  separable.  Much  of  it  consists  almost  wholly  of 
feldspar.  Flags  are  quarried  here  of  great  size  and  any  desir- 
ed degree  of  thinness ;  and  although  the  transportation  by  land  to 
market  (to  Norwich)  is  above  fifteen  miles,  they  are  yet  afforded 
so  low  as  to  compete  with  the  Bolton  stone.  The  price  varies 


105 

according  to  the  thickness  and  dimensions  of  the  slabs,  from  six 
to  twelve  cents  a  foot,  in  Norwich.  The  expense  of  their  trans- 
portation thither  is  three  dollars  and  a  half  a  load,  of  from  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy,  to  two  hundred  feet.  The  quarries  cover  several 
acres ;  but  unfortunately  are  situated  at  rather  low  levels,  insomuch 
that  in  the  course  of  ten  or  fifteen  years,  they  will  experience  con- 
siderable embarrassment  from  the  access  of  water. 

The  quarries  of  gneissoid  flagging-stone  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State,  are  in  a  more  fissile  and  easily  cleavable  rock.  A  few  of  the 
most  important  of  them  are  the  following:  at Thatchersville  (Bridge- 
port), Burr's  quarry  Fairfield  (82,  83),  Judson's  quarry  Newtown 
(84),  Mine-hill  Roxbury  (89),  Banks'  quarry  Reading  (85,  86). 
These  are  all  valuable  quarries  for  the  convenience  of  the  neighbor- 
hoods in  which  they  are  located.  A  thin  micaceous  gneiss  occurs  on 
both  sides  of  the  river  at  Derby,  and  also  at  Washington  bridge  in 
Milford.  The  hornblendic  gneiss  at  the  New  Milford  Falls  is  capa- 
ble of  affording  a  good  flagging  material  (119). 

Next  in  importance  to  the  gneiss,  the  mica-slate  of  Bolton  mountain 
deserves  to  be  noticed  as  a  flagging-stone.  No  material  of  this  species 
has  yet  been  discovered  in  the  United  States  or  elsewhere,  capable 
of  being  compared  with  this  invaluable  stone.  Slabs  five  feet  by 
eight,  and  even  larger,  are  furnished  by  these  quarries,  whose  sur- 
faces are  as  true  and  smooth,  as  any  granite  or  sandstone  could  be 
rendered  by  the  nicest  process  of  dressing,  and  yet  with  a  thickness 
not  above  six  or  eight  inches.  The  rock  derives  its  color  from  the 
mica,  which  is  of  a  silver-gray  (1416).  It  is  so  abundant  that  its  cleav- 
age surfaces  exhibit  no  other  mineral,  and  its  lustre  is  no  less  brilliant 
than  that  of  the  Haddam  gneiss.  The  stratification  of  the  rock  is 
extremely  uniform  and  always  thin,  sometimes  apparently  consisting 
of  upwards  of  an  hundred  thicknesses  of  mica  in  one  inch.  The  layers 
interposed  between  the  mica  in  one  variety  of  the  rock,  consist  of  an 
aggregate  of  grains  of  quartz,  feldspar  and  garnet;  but  each  so  small 
as  to  require  a  microscope  for  detection.  The  use  for  which  this 
stone  is  especially  fitted  is  for  side-walks,  market-houses,  cellars,  and 
foot-paths  generally  about  houses,  as  well  as  for  water-gutters.  Its 
strength  is  inadequate  to  the  support  of  carriage-wheels.  It  should 
therefore,  in  the  paving  of  streets,  be  employed  along  with  the  Con- 
necticut river  gneiss,  whose  firmness  admirably  fits  it  for  foot-paths 

14 


106 


across  streets  and  for  curb-stones.  The  quarries  extend  for  two 
miles  along  the  Bohon  mountain.  The  stratum  which  affords  the 
flagging-stone  is  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  in  thickness ;  and  of  this 
the  upper  part,  to  the  depth  of  six  feet  is  of  inferior  value,  affording 
only  a  small  proportion  of  flagging-stone  (147).  Above  this  stra- 
tum is  an  overlie  of  nearly  forty  feet,  of  dark,  gray  micaceous  lime- 
stone (146y)  or  calcareous  mica-slate.  The  annexed  diagram  will 
illustrate  the  singular  position  of  this  valuable  flagging-stone. 


Soil  and  diluvium. 


Decomposed  mica-slate,  5  feet  thick 


Calcareous  mica-slate,  30  feet  thick. 


White  limestone,  1  foot  thick. 

Garnetiferous  gneiss  or  mica-slate, 
6  feet  thick. 

"  Diamond- reef,"  8  inches  thick. 


Flag-stone  (mica-slate),  14  to  20  feet 
thick. 


The  strata  dip  westerly  from  25  to  30°.  The  thin  stratum  be- 
tween the  garnetiferous  mica-slate  and  flagging-variety  is  called  the 
diamond-reef  by  the  workmen,  on  account  of  the  rhomboidal  frag- 
ments into  which  it  separates.  It  will  be  obvious  from  an  inspection 
of  the  above  sketch,  that  the  labor  of  quarrying  the  flagging-stone 
must  be  very  considerable.  The  superincumbent  strata  require  to 
be  removed  as  fast  as  the  workmen  advance  in  the  removal  of  the 
flagging-stone.  Thus,  they  are  obliged  to  reject  more  than  two-thirds 
of  the  stone  in  working  the  quarry  ;  besides  which  they  have  to  con- 


107 

tend  against  the  inconvenience  of  water.  This  they  are  able,  during 
the  dry  season  of  the  year  to  withdraw,  by  means  of  lead-syphon 
tubes  of  the  largest  size.  The  same  relative  arrangement  in 
the  strata  is  found  at  every  opening  made  for  this  stone  on  the 
Bolton  mountain.  It  is  probable  therefore,  that  the  strata  are  con- 
tinuous for  a  distance  of  at  least  two  miles  in  extent.  But  two  quar- 
ries however,  are  worked  with  much  activity  at  present  on  the  moun- 
tain ;  one  half  a  mile  north  of  the  notch,  and  the  other  just  within  the 
edge  of  Vernon.  Other  quarries  have  been  opened  at  the  notch, 
but  they  are  not  wrought  at  present.  The  distance  from  Hartford 
to  the  notch  is  twelve  miles,  and  the  expense  of  transportation  is 
from  four  to  five  cents  the  foot.  They  are  nevertheless  afforded  in 
Hartford  at  the  low  price,  of  from  ten  to  twelve  cents  the  foot.  Noth- 
ing seems  to  be  wanting  to  impart  to  these  quarries  their  highest  value, 
but  the  construction  of  the  proposed  rail-way  to  the  Connecticut 
river,  a  work  which  the  nature  of  the  intermediate  country  would 
render  extremely  feasible.  Already  they  afford  constant  employ- 
ment to  upwards  of  fifty  men ;  and  it  is  easy  to  perceive  that  their 
value  would  be  greatly  augmented  if  the  contemplated  rail-way  to  the 
Connecticut  river  should  be  constructed. 

The  south  part  of  Litchfield  affords  a  mica-slate  (137)  which  has 
a  thin  and  strait  cleavage,  but  whether  it  will  yield  slabs  of  the  re- 
quisite dimensions,  can  only  be  ascertained  by  a  suitable  exploration. 

The  quarries  of  Killingly  have  but  recently  been  opened ;  and  al- 
though highly  promising  in  their  character,  are  comparatively  but 
little  known  to  the  public  at  large.  The  stone  is  altogether  peculiar 
in  its  character.  It  is  the  micaceous  quartz-rock,  consisting  almost  ex- 
clusively of  the  species  quartz.  The  mica  present  is  nearly  undistin- 
guishable,  and  would  quite  escape  ordinary  observation  but  for  its  hair- 
brown  color.  It  is  most  obvious  on  the  cleavage-surfaces,  where  it  is 
seen  collected  together  into  clouded  patches  (177,  178) ;  but  so  small 
is  its  quantity  on  the  whole,  that  it  seems  almost  inadequate  to  account 
for  the  free  and  strait  cleavages  by  which  the  rock  separates,  and  yet 
no  other  cause  can  be  adduced  for  their  production.  The  mica  some- 
times has  a  yellowish  tinge,  in  which  case  we  have  a  rock  so  exactly 
identical  in  structure  and  appearance  with  the  avanturine  of  Spain  that 
samples  of  it  are  well  worthy  of  being  submitted  to  the  wheel  of  the 
lapidary.  The  cleavages  occur  at  distances,  of  from  half  an  inch  to 


108 


four  and  six  inches  apart,  and  seem  perfectly  parallel  often  for  ten  or 
fifteen  feet  in  each  direction.  The  surfaces  of  the  slabs  are  as 
smooth  and  even,  as  those  of  the  best  moulded  tiles.  In  strength,  it 
is  not  inferior  to  any  other  flagging  stone,  if  we  except  perhaps  the 
hornblende-slate.  It  is  not  liable  to  disintegration  from  exposure  to 
the  weather,  or  from  immersion  in  water.  In  these  respects  it  sur- 
passes in  value  the  more  micaceous  slates.  Judging  from  weather- 
beaten  masses  of  the  rock,  it  grows  whiter  on  exposure ;  an  effect 
resulting  from  the  loss  of  the  brown  mica,  which  is  more  abundant  on 
the  cleavage  surfaces  than  through  the  general  mass  of  the  stone. 

The  uses  to  which  this  flagging-stone  may  be  applied  are  nume- 
rous, and  many  of  them  quite  new.  As  a  paving  for  side-walks  it 
must  be  pre-eminently  valuable,  not  only  on  account  of  the  size  of 
the  slabs  and  their  smoothness,  but  from  the  hardness  of  the  mate- 
rial. The  friction  to  which  it  will  be  subjected  in  this  situation  can- 
not it  would  seem,  make  the  slightest  impression  upon  it ;  for  its 
hardness  is  superior  to  that  of  the  firmest  and  most  imperishable 
granite.  For  this  reason,  flag-stones  from  this  rock  which  have  been 
long  in  use  will  not  require  to  be  roughened  up  with  the  chisel,  as  is 
the  case  with  some  of  the  softer  mica-slates.  In  the  paving  of  door- 
yards,  warehouses  and  cellars,  its  value  is  equally  obvious.  It  must 
surpass  all  other  materials  also,  for  lining  drains,  water-sluices  and 
canals ;  and  it  is  even  possible  that  it  may  prove  useful  in  the  roofing 
of  small  buildings.  It  is  a  fortunate  circumstance  that  the  supply 
of  this  stone  is  unlimited,  and  that  it  is  favorably  situated  in  the 
quarries  for  working.  Excellent  stone  essentially  of  this  kind,  has 
been  obtained  at  various  places  on  one  and  the  same  range,  for  several 
miles  in  extent.  The  most  important  opening  made  at  present  how- 
ever, is  that  of  BOLLES  and  TYLER.  It  is  about  three  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide  (of  uncovered  rock),  and  twenty-five 
above  a  narrow  valley  separating  it  from  a  higher  ledge  on  the 
west.  The  direction  of  strata  is  north  by  east,  and  the  dip  north- 
westerly 40  or  45°.  The  rock  is  almost  without  cross-seams,  which 
renders  the  quarrying  somewhat  difficult.  Those  which  do  occur, 
are  from  ten  to  thirty  feet  apart,  and  have  a  direction  northwest  by 
west.  The  rock  is  singularly  striated  in  the  direction  of  the  edges 
of  stratification.  The  average  thickness  of  the  layers  is  between 
two  and  four  inches. 


109 


It  should  be  an  object  of  search  to  find  some  ledge  in  the  range, 
in  which  the  cross-seams  are  nearer  together,  and  where  the  strata 
are  more  highly  inclined  in  their  position.  The  distance  of  the  range 
from  the  track  of  the  Norwich  and  Worcester  rail-way  will  be  about 
two  miles.  When  this  important  route  is  completed,  the  Killingly 
stone  will  find  its  way  to  market  with  great  facility. 

Flagging-stones  are  supplied  to  a  limited  extent  from  some  of  the 
red  sandstone-quarries  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  quar- 
ries on  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut  river  at  Enfield  bridge  afford 
good  materials  of  this  kind  (255).  They  are  constantly  wrought  by 
a  number  of  hands.  Some  of  the  sandstone-slates  at  the  coal-digging 
in  Durham  would  answer  a  similar  purpose.  The  red  sandstone- 
slate  of  Rocky  hill,  Hartford,  has  afforded  an  inferior  kind  of  flag- 
ging, which  has  been  much  used  in  that  city. 

Tiling. — A  partial  exploration  was  formerly  made  in  the  argillite 
of  Woodbridge,  at  the  mills,  on  the  old  road  to  Humphreysville.  The 
quality  of  the  rock  at  this  place  would  warrant  the  re-opening  of  the 
quarry.  Its  grain  is  almost  impalpable, — its  cross  fracture  exhibiting 
only  very  minute,  scarcely  perceptible,  brilliant  points.  It  cleaves  into 
sheets  one-tenth  of  an  inch  in  thickness,  and  which  still  possess  con- 
siderable strength.  It  is  capable  of  being  pierced  with  a  nail  without 
cracking,  and  retains  its  hardness  under  water ;  nor  does  it  appear  to 
exfoliate  from  exposure  to  the  weather,  during  the  winter.  From 
present  appearances  however,  the  quarry  would  not  yield  slates  of 
large  dimensions,  though  probably  of  a  size  large  enough  for  roofing.* 

Paving. — This  is  a  subject  deserving  the  attention  of  the  two  prin- 
cipal cities  of  the  State ;  and  though  hitherto  much  neglected,  a  re- 
gard to  comfort  and  convenience  will  soon  lead  to  its  consideration. 
Whenever  it  shall  be  thought  an  object,  the  materials  best  suited  to 
the  purpose  will  be  found  at  hand  in  the  prismatic  trap  of  the  country. 
Scarce  any  considerable  tract  of  the  trap-region  fails  to  afford  the 
variety  which  separates  spontaneously  into  three,  four,  or  five  sided 
prisms,  of  a  length  several  times  that  of  their  diameter.  As  a 
preparation  for  their  emyloyment,  the  street  would  require  to  be 
graded  as  usual,  and  then  covered  with  a  bed  of  coarse  gravel.  The 
prisms  selected  should  have  a  diameter  of  from  eight  inches  to  one 

*  The  chlorite-slate  of  Milford  point  merits  examination  with  the  same  view. 


110 

foot,  and  a  length  double  that  of  their  breadth.  They  should  be 
arranged  side  by  side  in  a  vertical  position,  and  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  leave  the  fewest  possible  spaces ;  after  which,  the  surface  of  the 
street  should  be  kept  covered  with  sand  until  all  the  crevices  are 
filled.  A  pavement  thus  constructed  would  have  all  the  smoothness 
of  a  macadamized  road  ;  and  from  the  strength  and  shape  of  the  ma- 
terials, must  excel  for  perpetuity  every  other  mode  of  paving. 

XVI.  MINERAL  SPRINGS. 

Our  active  mineral  waters  fall  under  the  head  of  weak  chalybeates, 
some  of  which  are  feebly  sulphureous.  None  of  them  are  possessed 
of  alkaline  or  acidulated  properties.  But  though  insipid  to  the  taste, 
and  supposed  to  contain  little  beside  carbonate  or  sulphate  of  iron,  the 
effects  they  exert  upon  the  animal  economy  are  in  many  instances 
decided,  and  highly  important.  The  failure  of  chemists  to  detect 
active  medicinal  ingredients  in  such  waters,  has  it  is  to  be  feared, 
sunk  them  too  low  in  the  estimation  of  medical  men.  The  recent 
discovery  by  BERZELIUS  of  two  organic  acids,  the  crenic  and  the 
apocrenic,  in  nearly  all  ferruginous  springs,  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  ex- 
cite public  attention  anew  to  the  subject.  The  salts  formed  by  these 
acids  may  prove  important  to  medicine.  A  few  springs  had  attracted 
attention  in  which  chemical  tests  fail  to  detect  any  mineral  or  vegeta- 
ble ingredients,  and  which  if  possessed  of  useful  properties,  must 
arise  from  the  unusual  purity  of  the  water. 

The  most  important  springs  in  the  State  are  those  of  Stafford.  Am- 
ple accommodations  here  exist  for  invalids,  and  during  the  warm 
season  they  are  a  favorite  resort.  No  perceptible  escape  of  gas  from 
the  water  was  observed.  The  sides  of  the  reservoir  were  lined  with 
a  thick  flocculent  precipitate  of  the  oxide  of  iron,  occasioned  by  the 
decomposition  of  the  carbonate  of  iron  from  the  access  of  air. 

The  spring  at  Prospect  hill  in  the  western  part  of  Litchfield  (allu- 
ded to  under  magnetic  iron-pyrites  in  this  report)  has  a  very  percep- 
tible styptic  taste  and  a  slight  sulphuretted  odor.  Tested  with  chlo- 
ride of  barium  and  ferro-cyanide  of  potassium,  it  clearly  evinced  the 
presence  of  sulphate  of  iron.  It  was  first  publicly  noticed  by  Mr. 
JAMES  PIERCE  of  Litchfield,  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science. 
He  states  that  an  astringent  effect  and  soreness  of  throat  is  produced 
by  a  free  use  of  the  spring;  and  that  it  had  effected  cures  of  obstinate 


Ill 

rheumatic  complaints  that  had  resisted  ordinary  remedies.  It  is  far- 
ther remarked  that  the  water  was  weekly  sent  to  Hartford,  and  had 
been  esteemed  equal  to  the  Stafford  spring.  As  the  ore  by  whose 
decomposition  the  spring  is  impregnated  contains  also,  minute  quanti- 
ties of  yellow  copper-pyrites,  the  presence  of  sulphate  of  copper  in 
the  water,  was  suspected  ;  but  the  addition  of  ammonia  produced  no 
discoloration ;  from  whence,  it  was  inferred  that  if  present,  its  quantity 
is  too  small  to  prove  deleterious. 

Other  chalybeates  concerning  which  information  was  acquired 
during  the  survey  are  at  the  following  places:  1.  Kent  ore-bed;  2. 
Danbury  (at  Beaver  brook) ;  3.  Cornwall  (1 J  miles  S.  W.  of  meet- 
ing-house) ;  4.  Washington  (road-side,  between  the  furnace  and  the 
marble-quarries) ;  5.  Winchester  (on  land  of  Mr.  C.  SOPPER)  ;  6. 
New  Hartford  (on  land  of  Mr.  ATWOOD)  ;  7.  Litchfield  (on  land  of 
Mr.  E.  CLARK)  ;  8.  Roxbury  (on  Mine  hill) ;  9.  Suffield  (on  land 
of  Mr.  E.  GRANGER)  ;  10.  Woodbury  (road-side,  near  the  house  of 
Mr.  J.  R.  EDWARDS);  11.  Oxford  (on  land  of  Mr.  NATHAN  MANS- 
FIELD) ;  12.  North  Haven ;  13.  Colchester  (on  land  of  Mr.  SAM- 
UEL GILLET,  also  of  Rev.  L.  STRONG)  ;  14.  Chatham  (on  land  of 
Mr.  ABBY)  ;  15.  Upper  Mystic  (on  land  of  Mrs.  M."  WILLIAMS)  ; 
16.  Brooklyn  (on  land  of  Mrs.  DANIELSON)  ;  17.  W7oodstock  (on 
land  of  Mr.  H.  BUGBEE*)  ;  18.  Manchester;  19.  Lebanon  ;  20. 
Watertown;  21.  Middletown ;  22.  Greenwich. 

From  the  observations  made  connected  with  the  above  mentioned 
springs,  it  appears  not  improbable,  that  chalybeates  occur  in  nearly 
every  town  in  the  State.  The  essential  condition  for  the  produc- 
tion of  such  waters,  appears  to  be  simply  the  breaking  up  of  springs 
through  deposits  of  bog-iron-ore,  or  between  strata  abounding  in 
iron-pyrites. 

Of  springs  which  on  the  application  of  the  ordinary  tests  appeared 
to  be  unusually  pure  water,  may  be  mentioned,  one  in  Killingly  on 
the  estate  of  Judge  CHASE,  and  another  on  the  Sherman  and  Read- 
ing turnpike,  on  land  of  Mr.  STEPHEN  GREGORY.  A  mineral  spring 


*  The  Woodstock  spring  is  represented  by  the  proprietor  to  have  undergone  a 
regular  analysis  by  Dr.  PARSONS  of  Providence  (R.  I.),  and  a  manuscript  copy  of 
the  following  results  is  shown  to  persons  who  visit  the  springs.  "  The  water  be- 
longs to  the  class  called  chalybeate.  The  three  springs  differ  from  each  other 


112 

one  mile  east  of  Salisbury  meeting-house,  indicated  only  the  pres- 
ence of  chloride  of  calcium  together  with  a  little  carbonate  of  lime. 
The  rocks  over  which  this  water  runs  are  covered  with  a  thin  incrus- 
tation of  calcareous  tufa. 

XVII.   MATERIALS  FOR  AGRICULTURE. 

It  has  been  noticed  from  the  earliest  times  that  certain  marked 
distinctions  exist  in  soils,  qualifying  them  in  different  degrees  for  the 
purposes  of  agriculture.  Accordingly  we  have  what  are  called  hard 
and  soft  sandy  soils,  clayey  soils,  light  and  dark  colored  molds. 
Chemical  analysis  has  shown  the  ground  on  which  these  diversities 
depend  ;  and  has  made  us  acquainted  with  the  exact  constitution  of 
particular  varieties,  found  best  suited  to  certain  crops.  Thus  a  soil 
which  was  well  adapted  to  oats,  wheat  and  barley,  afforded  in  100 
parts,  1 1  of  carbonate  of  lime,  9  of  vegetable  and  animal  matter,  4 

chiefly  in  the  proportion- of  iron  they  contain.  The  first,  or  north  spring,  contains 
in  one  gallon, 

Carbonate  of  soda,  about  -  10  grs. 

Carbonate  of  iron,  -  2 

with  a  very  minute  portion  of  lime  and  salt. 
The  second,  or  middle  spring,  contains  in  one  gallon, 

Carbonate  of  soda,          ....  15    grs. 

Carbonate  of  iron,  3£ 

with  a  very  minute  portion  of  lime  and  salt. 
The  third,  in  one  gallon, 

Carbonate  of  soda,         •  16  grs. 

Carbonate  of  lime,        -  8 

Carbonate  of  iron,        .....  4 

with  a  minute  portion  of  salt. 

"  The  three  springs  contain  carbonic  acid  gas,  the  exact  amount  of  which  can  be 
determined  only  at  the  springs  where  the  water  is  drawn.  It  is  this  gas  which  holds 
the  iron  in  solution,  so  that  the  water  is  perfectly  clear  when  first  taken  from  the 
spring,  but  when  allowed  to  stand  for  a  short  time  in  an  open  vessel,  the  gas  escapes 
and  leaves  the  iron  on  settling,  which  gives  the  water  a  turbid  appearance,  and 
finally  collecting  on  the  sides  and  bottom  of  the  vessel,  it  resembles  rust  or  oxide 
of  iron. 

"  The  second  and  third  springs  are  best  for  drinking,  and  the  first  is  best  for 
bathing." 

It  is  wholly  inconceivable  how  the  foregoing  statements  could  have  been  made 
respecting  these  waters.  If  the  results  quoted  were  obtained  by  the  gentleman 
above  named,  it  is  certain  that  the  water  submitted  could  never  have  been  afforded 
by  these  springs :  for  the  first  spring  differs  in  no  respect  from  common  water,  and 
the  other  two  are  merely  chalybeates  of  the  usual  character. 


113 

of  water,  and  45  of  finely  divided  clay  (more  than  half  of  which 
probably  consisted  of  silica,  and  the  rest  of  alumina  and  oxide  of 
iron),  the  remaining  31  being  coarse  gravel.  Another  sample  from 
a  field  yielding  wheat  and  beans  without  manure,  consisted  of  j  silic- 
eous sand  and  f  calcareous  clay  tinged  with  iron,  the  aggregate 
containing  5  per  cent,  of  vegetable  matter.  A  good  soil  for  wheat  in 
France  had  for  its  mineral  basis,  f  clay,  f  river-sand  and  f  carbon- 
ate of  lime  ;  and  a  soil  for  potatoes  in  Cornwall  (England)  had  | 
siliceous  sand,  with  an  absorbent  power  so  small  as  to  lose  only  2 
per  cent,  by  drying,  at  a  temperature  of  400°.  It  is  from  informa- 
tion obtained  in  this  way,  that  the  rules  for  improving  the  mineral 
constitution  of  soils  have  been  derived. 

It  does  not  fall  within  the  province  of  this  report  to  point  out  the 
different  kinds  of  soil,  and  the  extent  of  each  sort  in  the  State.  They 
will  only  be  alluded  to  in  a  general  manner,  with  a  view  to  important 
mineral  amendments,  capable  of  being  availed  of  to  some  extent, 
within  our  territory.  The  soils  of  Connecticut,  like  those  of  most 
primitive  regions,  are  especially  deficient  in  carbonate  of  lime.* 
This  was  not  proved  to  be  the  fact  from  an  actual  analysis  of  soils 
collected  in  different  sections  of  the  primitive,  but  is  deduced  from 
the  known  character  of  the  rocks  from  whose  decomposition  they 
have  proceeded.  As  respects  a  leading  variety  of  soil  (a  sandy  loam) 
in  the  valley  of  Connecticut,  careful  analysis  confirms  the  charac- 
ter ascribed  above  to  the  soils  of  the  State.  The  sample  was  taken 
from  a  field  sparsely  covered  with  cedars,  pines  and  oaks,  situated 
in  Hamden,  and  about  sixty  rods  north  of  what  is  called  High  rock. 
It  yielded,  on  a  specimen  thoroughly  dried  by  several  days  expo- 
sure to  the  sun,  the  following  results : 


*  Local  tracts  of  small  extent  in  the  limestone-section  of  the  State,  and  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  calcareous  amygdaloids  and  marl-slates,  are  exceptions  to  this 
remark;  so  also  are  those  patches  of  land  of  still  more  moderate  extent,  situated  di- 
rectly upon  the  Sound,  in  which  sea-shells  are  more  or  less  thickly  disseminated. 
In  these  situations,  the  natural  fertility  of  the  soil  is  most  apparent ;  and  its  adapted- 
ness  to  wheat  and  rye  is  particularly  striking. 

15 


114 

In  one  hundred  parts, 

Water  of  absorption,  -  3*05 

Vegetable  matter,     -  -  2-94 

Alumina,     -  7-19 

Peroxide  of  iron,     -  -  2-83 

1  Oxide  of  manganese,  -             -  0*17 

Lime,  -  0-06 

Magnesia,  -  -  0-04 

Silica,  (53-42  in  condition  of  small  quartz-pebbles,)  83-80 

100-08 

As  the  State  is  not  furnished  with  the  recent  calcareous  marl-for- 
mations, the  only  mode  of  making  up  this  signal  deficiency  in  the 
mineral  constitution  of  her  soil,  obviously  consists  in  a  resort  to  the 
practice  of  liming.  Nor  will  the  remedy  throughout  a  large  part  of 
the  State  be  attended  with  very  considerable  expense,  even  com- 
pared with  that  of  the  marling  system.  The  average  dose  to  the 
acre  as  a  preparation  for  a  grain-crop,  will  rarely  exceed  thirty  or 
forty  bushels  ;*  and  when  lime  is  burnt  with  the  requisite  economy, 
the  cost  of  this  amendment  will  no  longer  be  an  obstacle  to  its  use. 
The  saving  of  labor  in  applying  so  small  a  quantity  of  material,  com- 
pared with  the  bulky  article  of  marl,  must  be  obvious. 

It  will  be  of  the  utmost  importance  however,  to  avoid  the  use  of 
the  dolomitic,  or  magnesian  lime,  for  the  purpose  here  recommended ; 
as  it  has  been  fully  demonstrated  in  Europe,  that  quicklime  of  this 
description  instead  of  improving  the  qualities  of  a  soil,  exerts  a  posi- 
tively injurious  effect  on  vegetation,  at  least  for  a  number  of  years 
after  its  application.  This  consequence  of  the  use  of  dolomite  ap- 
pears only  to  follow,  when  it  has  been  burnt ;  for  the  disintegrated, 
or  pulverized  rock,  if  spread  upon  land  proves  beneficial.  Farmers 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  lime-kilns  in  Litchfield  county,  have  made  par- 
tial trials  of  the  use  of  lime  on  lands ;  and  in  all  cases  where  it  was 
employed  free  from  admixture  with  wood-ashes,  the  testimony  was 
unfavorable  to  its  utility  as  a  manure  ;  a  result  to  have  been  ex- 
pected, inasmuch  as  the  lime-kilns  of  that  region  are  exclusively  fed 
with  a  dolomitic  limestone.  The  distinctions  between  pure  limestone 

*  That  for  ordinary  marl  is  above  one  thousand. 


115 

and  dolomite,  and  the  kinds  of  lime  to  which  they  give  rise  on  burn- 
ing, have  already  been  pointed  out,  in  the  section  on  quick-lime  and 
water-cement.  The  repositories  of  the  two  rocks  were  also  men- 
tioned under  the  same  head  ;  farther  allusion  to  them  will  not  there- 
fore be  required  in  this  place. 

No  subject  connected  with  the  agricultural  interest  of  the  State 
more  loudly  demands  immediate  attention,  than  that  of  liming. 
Should  the  system  be  intelligently  engaged  in,  it  is  believed  that  her 
crops  would  in  a  very  short  period  be  doubled  ;  and  at  an  expense 
that  would  well  justify  the  practice.  For  "  soils,"  it  has  justly  been 
remarked  by  M.  Puvis,*  "  not  calcareous,  whatever  may  be  the 
culture,  and  whatever  may  be  the  quantity  of  manure  lavished  on 
them,  are  not  suitable  for  all  products,  are  often  cold  and  moist, 
and  are  covered  with  weeds.  Calcareous  manures,  by  giving  the 
lime  that  is  wanting  on  such  soils,  complete  their  advantages,  ren- 
der the  tillage  more  easy,  destroy  the  weeds,  and  fit  the  soil  for  all 
products."f 


*  On  the  use  of  lime  as  a  manure,  by  M.  Puvis,  translated  for  the  Farmer's  Reg- 
ister. Shellbanks,  Va.  1835. 

t  The  employment  of  lime  is  rapidly  extending  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  ; 
and  has  already  very  nearly  led  in  some  counties,  to  the  disuse  of  plaster  altogether. 
The  limestone  made  use  of  in  Bucks,  Lehigh  and  Berks  counties,  and  probably 
elsewhere,  is  free  from  magnesia.  Samples  have  been  examined  from  several  lo- 
calities which  furnish  the  kilns  from  whence  the  supply  to  the  farmers  is  derived, 
in  none  of  which  has  magnesia  been  detected.  One  specimen  from  Allentown  was 
submitted  to  analysis  under  the  impression,  that  it  abounded  in  silica, — the  rock 
having  a  fine-grained  arenaceous  texture ;  but  it  was  found  to  contain  but  1-6  p.  c. 
of  silica,  and  was  entirely  free  from  magnesia,  alumina,  and  even  oxide  of  iron. 
The  Thomastown  (Me.)  limestone  which  is  burnt  at  Newark  (N.  J.)  by  Mr.  TOMP- 
Kiifs,  for  agricultural  purposes,  is  also  free  from  magnesia.  Individuals  in  the 
vicinity  of  Allentown,  employ  from  six  hundred  to  three  thousand  bushels  of  lime 
per  year,  according  to  the  dimensions  of  their  estates.  It  is  carted  from  twenty  to 
thirty  miles,  in  some  instances.Trom  the  kilns.  The  quantity  per  acre  varies  from 
thirty  to  one  hundred  bushels,  according  to  the  strength  of  the  soil,— the  largest 
quantity  being  used  where  the  land  is  richest  in  vegetable  and  animal  matter. 
The  dressing  is  administered  once,  in  from  five  to  twelve  years.  Where  the  soil 
is  thin,  it  is  necessary  to  plough  in  the  lime,  the  deepest.  It  is  always  added  in  the 
slacked  state,  and  generally  in  the  fall  of  the  .year.  After  liming,  a  crop  of  buck- 
wheat, oats,  or  corn  is  taken  off,  previous  to  one  of  wheat. 

The  following  remarks  are  abstracted  from  a  review  of  Essays  on  Calcareous  Ma- 
nures, in  the  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  Vol.  xxx,  p.  161.  "  In  the 
north  of  England  and  in  Scotland,  the  use  of  lime  as  a  manure,  may  almost  appear 


116 

It  will  be  interesting  information  to  all  persons  who  feel  any  con- 
cern in  the  agricultural  prosperity  of  the  State  to  learn,  that  an  en- 
terprising individual,  Mr.  LEVI  S.  PLATT  of  Danbury,  is  about  to 
commence  the  burning  of  lime  for  the  supply  of  farmers  in  that  sec- 
tion. The  deposit  from  whence  his  kiln  is  to  be  furnished,  has 
been  selected  with  great  care ;  and  the  undertaking,  if  encouraged 
as  it  deserves  to  be,  will  introduce  a  new  era  in  the  agriculture  of 
the  State. 

Beds  of  clayey  marl,  useful  for  agriculture,  have  confidently  been 
supposed  to  exist  in  the  Connecticut  valley.  Calcareous  deposits 
in  this  region  however,  are  not  more  strongly  developed  than  in  the 
contiguous  primitive.  In  a  few  instances,  there  occur  thin  beds  of 
a  fissile  dark  brown  slate,  (281,  283,  284,  285,  286)  which  emits  an 
argillaceous  odor  on  being  moistened,  softens  in  water,  effervesces 
with  acid,  and  spontaneously  falls  to  powder  on  exposure  for  a  year 
or  two  to  the  weather.  It  is  therefore  fully  entitled  to  be  denomi- 
nated a  marl,  and  would  unquestionably  prove  serviceable  as  a  dress- 


to  be  excessive.  Two  hundred  bushels  per  acre  are  often  applied  to  sandy  soils, 
and  from  three  to  four  hundred  on  clay.  Dressings  of  this  amount  are  renewed 
once  in  every  term  of  twenty-one  years.  This  high  rate  of  application  could  not 
however,  be  practiced  upon  land  not  yet  habituated  to  its  use,  and  would  in  most 
parts  of  the  United  States,  be  too  costly  to  yield  any  profit.  In  England,  the  lime  is 
usually  laid  in  small  heaps  on  the  fields  in  its  caustic  state,  and  spread  as  soon  as  it 
becomes  air-slacked.  In  the  department  of  L'Ain  in  France,  the  dressings  are  about 
eighty  bushels  to  the  acre,  and  are  applied  as  a  preparation  for  every  grain  crop.  The 
lime  here,  is  also  laid  on  in  heaps,  in  its  caustic  state  ;  but  these  are  immediately  cov- 
ered with  earth,  which  remains  until  the  lime  is  slacked,  when  the  earth  and  it  are 
intimately  mixed,  and  after  having  rested  for  a  fortnight,  are  again  thoroughly  in- 
corporated. In  this  state  they  remain  for  another  fortnight,  when  the  whole  is  uni- 
formly distributed  over  the  ground.  In  Flanders,  the  quantity  of  lime  applied  is 
from  forty  to  fifty  bushels  to  the  acre,  and  the  dressing  is  not  repeated  oftener  than 
once  in  ten  or  twelve  years.  The  lime  is  usually  mixed  with  the  ashes  of  bitumin- 
ous coal  or  of  turf,  or  formed  into  a  compost  with  other  manures.  In  the  depart- 
ment of  La  Sarthe,  the  lime  is  applied  at  the  rate  of  twelve  bushels  to  the  acre, 
once  in  three  years,  and  in  the  form  of  compost.  In  the  opinion  of  M.  Puvis,  this 
method,  although  the  least  expensive,  is  the  best;  and  it  may  be  said  to  be  within 
the  reach  of  almost  erery  American  agriculturalist.  The  advantage  of  the  use  of 
lime  may  be  stated  in  a  few  words :  it  is  an  essential  part  of  the  seed  of  wheat, 
and  that  valuable  grain  will  not  grow  in  any  soil  which  does  not  contain  it.  It  may 
therefore  be  reasonably  hoped,  that  the  culture  of  this  plant  may,  by  the  aid  of  lime 
in  this  comparatively  cheap  mode,  be  restored  in  those  districts  whence  it  has  long 
been  banished/* 


117 

ing  for  light  sandy  lands.  The  deposits  alluded  to,  occur  at  South 
Britain,  at  the  water-limestone  quarries  in  Southington,  and  at  Saw- 
mill hollow  in  Durham.  Adequate  research  would  probably  bring 
to  light  other,  and  perhaps  more  important,  localities  of  this  material. 

A  more  abundant  and  widely  diffused  formation  in  the  Connecti- 
cut valley,  which  is  capable  of  use  as  an  amendment,  is  the  red  and 
brown  shale-clay.  It  often  constitutes  by  itself  large  beds,  or  occurs 
interstratified  with  the  red  sandstone-conglomerate.  It  is  extremely 
prone  to  crumble  into  a  red  pasty  soil  wherever  it  is  exposed  to  the 
weather;  and  in  the  spring  of  the  year  may  be  removed  from  its 
beds  with  great  facility,  simply  by  means  of  shovels  and  spades. 
Where  favorably  situated  in  the  vicinity  of  light  sandy  soils,  it  might 
be  spread  over  them  with  undoubted  benefit. 

The  prevailing  scarcity  of  fresh  water-mollusca  in  the  State,  ren- 
ders highly  problematical  the  discovery  of  extensive  beds  of  the  cal- 
careous, lacustrine  formation.  These,  wherever  they  exist  in  quan- 
tity, constitute  eminently  useful  applications  to  land.  The  only  in- 
dications of  such  deposits  hitherto  observed  in  Connecticut,  occur  in 
the  parish  of  New  Britain  in  Berlin.  In  excavating  a  raceway  for  a 
manufactory  here,  a  bed  of  this  character  was  struck,  which  abounds 
in  bleached  shells  belonging  the  genera  Planorbus,  Lymna3a  and 
Cyclas,  and  which  afforded  the  rare  fossil  curiosity  of  a  vertebral 
bone  belonging  to  the  mastodon. 


118 


SCIENTIFIC    REPORT. 

THE  order  adopted  in  the  present  section  is  the  Natural  History 
classification,  which  is  the  same  arrangement  as  that  observed  in  the 
disposition  of  the  samples,  intended  for  the  illustration  of  the  simple 
minerals  of  the  State.* 

CLASS  I. 
ORDER  IV.    SALT.| 

Genus  7.    Vitriol-Salt. 

White  Copperas  is  found  at  several  of  the  principal  localities  of 
iron-pyrites  and  of  magnetic  iron-pyrites.  Wherever  either  of  these 
minerals,  or  the  mixture  of  the  two,  are  exposed  to  the  joint  influ- 
ence of  air  and  moisture,  a  mealy  efflorescence  of  the  present 
species  makes  its  appearance.  Certain  conditions  with  which  we 
are  not  fully  acquainted  promote  or  retard  its  production.  Thus  it 
forms  with  unusual  rapidity  in  the  aggregate  of  magnetic-iron,  horn- 
blende and  iron-pyrites,  on  Brown's  mountain  in  Washington  (333  5), 
likewise  at  the  copperas  mine  in  New  Fairfield  and  the  brimstone 
ledge  in  North  Madison  (575  6) ;  whereas  the  iron-pyrites  ores  of 
Litchfield  and  of  the  topaz-vein  in  Trumbull  are  very  slow  in  giving 
origin  to  this  salt. 

Genus  10.   Alum-Salt. 

Alum  occurs  only  in  very  limited  quantity  at  a  few  localities,  and 
always  as  an  efflorescence  on  pyritiferous  mica-slate.     The  most 


*  The  idea  of  treating  the  subject  according  to  the  different  geological  formations, 
and  the  varieties  of  rocks,  or  natural  repositories  in  which  the  minerals  occur,  first 
presented  itself;  and  many  observations  were  made  during  the  survey  with  that  spe- 
cial view  ;  the  plan  however,  was  abandoned,  out  of  regard  to  the  repetition  and 
prolixity  to  which  it  would  lead,  and  for  the  reason  that  the  mosi  interesting  facts 
connected  with  such  a  view,  will  naturally  be  included  in  the  geological  report  of 
Dr.  PERCIVAI,. 

t  Several  species  in  the  three  first  orders  of  this  class,  and  which  are  either 
gaseous,  fluid,  or  found  in  a  state  of  solution,  might  have  been  enumerated  among 
the  minerals  of  the  State ;  but  their  occurrence  and  nature  are  in  general  so  well 
understood,  as  not  to  require  a  distinct  mention. 


119 

remarkable  locality  is  in  the  town  of  Plymouth  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Naugatuck  river,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  the  Waterbury 
line.  It  here  occurs  on  the  protected  side  of  a  high  shelving  ledge, 
forming  crusts  in  many  places  one-eighth  of  an  inch  thick.  These 
however,  do  not  adhere  for  any  length  of  time  to  the  rock ;  but  scale 
off  with  the  quartz  and  mica  and  descend  to  the  bottom  of  the  ledge, 
where  a  considerable  accumulation  of  sandy  debris,  impregnated  with 
the  salt  is  formed.  The  crusts  in  some  instances,  are  visibly  com- 
posed of  short  silky  fibres  of  a  pure  white  color.  Its  taste  is  sweet 
and  astringent.  Its  composition  for  the  greatest  part  is  not  that  of 
the  alum  of  commerce,  but  in  place  of  an  alkali,  contains  protoxide 
of  iron,  in  the  proportion  of  from  12  to  15  per  cent.,  though  it  is 
very  probable  that  the  common  potash-alum  is  occasionally  inter- 
mingled with  this  salt. 

CLASS   II. 

ORDER  I.    HALOIDE. 

Genus  3.    Malachite-Haloide. 

Chrysocolla. — This  beautiful  mineral,  in  small  quantity,  attends  the 
vitreous  copper  and  variegated  copper  of  Wolcottville. 

Cube-Ore  as  a  secondary  product,  derived  from  the  decomposi- 
tion of  mispickel,  has  been  observed  in  drusy  coatings  on  this  ore  at 
the  arsenic-mine  in  Derby.  Its  color  is  grass-green  with  a  shade 
of  gray. 

Nickel-  Green. — This  rare  mineral  has  only  been  detected  in  the 
most  minute  quantity,  associated  with  copper-nickel  in  the  cobalt-mine 
of  Chatham.  It  is  pulverulent,  and  of  a  grayish-white,  apple-green 
color. 

Genus  4.    Fluor-Haloide. 

Fluor. — The  State  appears  to  contain  but  a  single  important  de- 
posit of  this  species,  which  is  in  Trumbull  near  the  line  of  Monroe. 
It  here  occurs  forming  the  bulk  of  a  vein  about  eighteen  inches  in 
width,  cutting  across  a  white  gneissoid-limestone,  and  in  a  second 
spot  under  somewhat  similar  circumstances,  at  a  short  distance  in  a 
southwesterly  direction.  The  first  mentioned  vein  has  been  laid 
open  to  a  depth  of  ten  feet,  and  for  several  rods  in  extent.  The 
fluor  is  the  leading  constituent  of  the  vein,  and  is  associated  with 


120 

topaz,  mica  and  quartz,  and  in  certain  parts  of  the  vein  with  several 
species  of  pyrites  (572).  The  fluor  is  rarely  crystallized.  A  few 
examples  of  druses  of  small  rich  purple,  and  in  variegated  cubes  with 
beveled  edges  (334)  have  been  noticed ;  but  nearly  the  whole  vein 
exhibits  a  large  granular  composition  and  a  light  purplish-red  color 
(338),  which  on  exposure  to  light  soon  fades  out  to  grayish-white. 
It  phosphoresces  on  the  application  of  heat,  with  a  rich  emerald- 
green  light ;  and  is  hence  included  under  the  variety  of  chlorophane. 
With  it,  is  intermingled  a  grayish  white  feldspar,  minute  scales  of 
mica,  and  occasionally  very  perfect  crystals  of  an  almost  emerald- 
green  beryl.  In  those  parts  of  the  vein  where  the  white  topaz  is 
abundant,  the  fluor  is  in  larger  individuals  and  nearly  transparent, 
at  the  same  time  showing  other  tints,  as  bluish-green  (336),  dark  pur- 
ple and  black  (335)  and  reddish-white  (337).  The  dark  purple  va- 
riety frequently  forms  thin  coatings  on  the  topaz  and  mica-crystals, 
and  disseminates  itself  also  between  their  laminae. 

Small  quantities  of  purple  fluor  have  been  noticed  with  calcareous 
spar  and  quartz  in  the  plumbaginous  mica-slate  in  Newtown,  at  the 
diggings  for  coal  on  the  east  side  of  the  brook.  A  similar  variety  oc- 
curs in  the  reddish  granitic-gneiss  at  East  Haven  near  the  light- 
house (339).  The  brown  shale  of  Berlin  (588)  occasionally  pre- 
sents the  same  mineral  in  connection  with  dolomite-crystals  and 
bitumen. 

•Apatite  is  a  more  widely  diffused  species  than  has  perhaps  been 
imagined.  There  are  few  extensive  granite-regions  in  the  State  in 
which  it  is  altogether  wanting,  though  the  crystals  are  sometimes  so 
minute  and  pale  as  to  be  with  difficulty  distinguished.  It  has  also 
been  observed  in  the  secondary  conglomerate  of  East  Haven,  and 
in  the  garnet-sand  in  the  same  town,  at  the  light-house.  A  few  of 
its  most  interesting  localities  however,  only,  will  be  mentioned.  The 
china-stone  quarry  at  Middletown  affords  it  in  short  six  and  twelve- 
sided  prisms,  from  one  quarter,  to  above  an  inch  in  diameter.  Their 
color  varies  from  pale  reddish  white,  through  bluish  white  to  aspara- 
gus-green (34 ly) ;  and  where  penetrated  by  uran-ochre  they  present 
a  citron-yellow  color.  At  Haddam,  the  nests  of  albitic  granite  in 
the  gneiss  at  Allen's  vein  yield  it  abundantly,  in  small  bluish  green, 
nearly  transparent  crystals  (340y).  The  beryl-granite  of  Monroe 
contains  occasionally,  very  perfect  pale  bluish-white  crystals  of  apa- 


121 

tite  ;  and  the  coarse  grained  albitic  granite  of  Plymouth  (340)  pre- 
sents it  in  brilliant,  transparent,  yellowish  green  crystals.  Long, 
slender,  bluish  white  prisms  (3406)  are  found  in  granite-seams  tra- 
versing a  micaceous  gneiss,  at  a  place  two  miles  north  of  Water- 
bury,  where  stone  has  been  quarried  for  the  erection  of  a  button- 
manufactory.  Thin  bands  of  reddish  white  feldspar  in  gneiss  con- 
tain a  pale  blue  variety  (340r)  at  Winchester,  one  mile  southeast  of 
Winsted. 

Genus  5.    Lime-Haloide. 

Jlrragonite  is  a  species  but  little  known  in  the  State,  and  is  con- 
fined to  secondary  rocks,  or  occurs  in  situations  where  its  formation 
is  recent  and  still  in  progress.  White  drusy  varieties  of  it  are  found 
in  many  of  the  red  sandstone-quarries,  as  at  East  Haven  (3426), 
East  Windsor  (3436)  and  Hamden  ;  long  acicular  crystals  on  cu- 
preous slate  in  Suffield  at  Enfield  bridge  (3446)  ;  filling  up  thin  cross- 
seams  in  the  calcareous  mica-slate  of  Bolton  mountain  (341)  and  be- 
tween layers  of  albitic  gneiss  in  Haddam,  Chester  and  Hadlyme. 

Calcareous  Spar. — Crystallized  varieties  of  this  species  are  un- 
common in  this  region.  Cross-seams  in  the  bituminous  limestone  of 
Southington  and  Southbury  rarely  offer  examples  of  the  inverted 
rhomboid  ;  and  the  agate-balls  found  in  the  trap  of  Southbury,  Mid- 
dlefield  and  a  few  other  places,  present  small  crystals  of  the  form, 
metatastique.  The  marly  shale  of  South  Britain  embraces  layers  of 
fibrous  limestone.  The  large  and  easily  cleavable  individuals,  to 
which  the  term  calcareous  spar  was  formerly  restricted,  have  been 
observed  only  in  agate-balls  at  Middlefield  and  in  veins  in  trap  at 
Berlin  (347).  The  curved  lamellar  variety  (argentine)  occurs  in 
small  quantity  in  Monroe.  Granular  limestone  exists  in  several 
well  developed  beds,  particularly  in  the  towns  of  Derby  (342, 
343),  Trumbull,  Watertown  (345),  Brookfield  (3456),  North  Mil- 
ford  (344),  Vernon  (3476),  Danbury  (347y)  and  North  Canaan. 
In  most  of  the  localities  west  and  northwest  of  Monroe,  the  lime- 
stone is  closely  associated  with  dolomite.  This  is  particularly  the 
case  at  Reading,  Danbury,  Brookfield  and  Canaan,  nevertheless 
beds  of  greater  or  less  extent  of  pure  limestone  are  found  in  these 
places.  White  and  gray  limestone,  sometimes  pure  and  some- 
times mingled  with  dolomite  and  serpentine,  occurs  in  Milford  and 
New  Haven,  at  the  green  marble  quarries  (229,  230,  231,  232, 233). 

16 


122 

Narrow  seams  of  white  limestone  traverse  the  argillite  of  Amity  and 
Woodbridge  (167,  168).  Grayish  black,  bituminous  limestone 
(292)  occurs  at  Durham  in  Saw-mill  brook,  associated  with  bitumi- 
nous slate  (2786)  :  and  the  same  rock,  but  more  compact  and  of  a 
lighter  gray  color,  is  found  in  Southington  (290,  295),  Southbury 
(288)  and  Guilford  (296,  2976). 

Dolomite  in  well-formed  crystals  of  the  primary  form,  occurs 
lining  seams  in  the  white  massive  variety  at  Mead's  quarry  in  Ridge- 
field  (348) ;  also  occupying  narrow  seams  (variety  pearl-spar)  in  a 
bituminous  brown  shale  at  Berlin,  near  Hart's  mills  (354).  The 
white  granular  dolomite  is  one  of  the  most  largely  developed  rocks 
in  several  towns  of  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State,  occurring  in 
extensive  beds  associated  with  mica-slate,  and  rarely  with  pure  lime- 
stone, in  the  towns  of  Salisbury,  Canaan,  Sharon,  Cornwall,  Kent, 
New  Milford,  Brookfield,  Washington,  Danbury,  Reading  and  Ridge- 
field  (349,  3496,  350,  3506,  351,  3516,  353).  A  single  bed  of 
dolomite  occurs  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  in  the  town  of  North 
Stonington,  near  the  line  of  Preston  (218).  It  is  also  intimately  blend- 
ed up  with  limestone  in  the  marbles  of  Milford  and  New  Haven  (229, 
230,  231,  232,  233).  The  reddish  brown  massive  variety  (brown 
spar)  forms  narrow  seams  in  sandstone-slate  at  Berlin,  near  the  vil- 
lage of  Worthington  (355,  356),  and  in  gneiss  at  Norwich  (3566). 
A  white  massive  dolomite  enters  largely  also,  into  the  composition  of 
trap  at  Durham,  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  the  village  on  the 
Middletown  and  Hartford  turnpike  (3166). 

ORDER  II.    BARYTE. 
Genus  1.    Parachrose-Baryte. 

Diallogite. — This  rare  ore  of  manganese  is  found  in  the  town  of 
Washington  (New  Preston  Society),  on  land  of  Mr.  JOEL  CAMP. 
Its  color  is  a  dark  carmine-red.  It  forms  a  thin  pulverulent  coat- 
ing on  triplite  (3586). 

Spathic  Iron  is  a  very  abundant  mineral  in  the  town  of  Roxbury, 
forming  with  quartz  a  vein  of  many  feet  in  width,  and  extending  for 
upwards  of  half  a  mile  up  the  side  of  a  mountain,  situated  on  the 
western  side  of  the  Shepaug  river.  It  rarely  shows  itself  under 
regular  forms,  but  is  massive  in  large,  easily  cleavable  individuals 
(358).  Its  color,  when  freshly  detached  from  the  vein,  is  light  yel- 


123 

lowish  gray  (357).  Blende,  galena,  iron  and  copper-pyrites,  are 
occasionally  associated  with  it,  in  very  small  quantity  (585y).  Small 
quantities  of  spathic-iron  occur  likewise,  at  Lane's  mine  in  Monroe. 
Triplite. — A  small  bed  of  this  rare  ore  is  found  in  Washington  on 
the  farm  of  Mr.  JOEL  CAMP.  It  occurs  in  granite.  Attention  was  drawn 
to  it  several  years  ago  under  the  impression  that  it  was  an  ore  of 
iron,  and  a  quantity  of  it  was  raised  with  a  view  to  test  its  character. 
But  its  want  of  resemblance  to  the  iron-ores  of  the  country  led  to 
its  neglect,  and  a  considerable  heap  of  the  ore  is  now  said  to  lie 
somewhere  near  the  bed.  It  is  much  prone  to  decomposition  on  ex- 
posure to  the  weather ;  in  consequence  of  which,  it  separates  into  ir- 
regular, feebly  connected  grains,  whose  surfaces  are  more  or  less 
coated  by  diallogite  (3586).  It  is  difficult  to  decide  from  the  situation 
of  the  bed,  whether  the  body  of  the  ore  is  considerable. 

Genus  2.    Zinc-Baryte.* 

Calamine  in  the  state  of  an  impalpable  powder  of  a  white  color, 
and  in  cellular,  bone-like  masses  accompanies  the  blende  and  galena 
of  Brookfield,  in  limestone  (358r). 

Genus  3.     Tungstic  Baryte. 

Tungsten. — The  only  known  repositories  of  this  species  in  the 
United  States  exist  in  Monroe  and  Trumbull.  At  Lane's  mine  in 
the  former  town,  it  is  by  no  means  a  scarce  substance.  It  occurs 
both  crystallized  and  massive  in  quartz  and  argillite  (359).  The 
crystals  are  large,  but  rarely  perfect.  The  massive  variety  often  oc- 
cupies spaces  of  two  inches  in  diameter.  Its  color  is  pale  yellowish 
white,  passing  into  gray.  At  Trumbull,  it  is  situated  in  quartz  near 
to  the  topaz-vein,  and  is  attended  with  tungstic  ochre  and  wolfram. 

Edwardsite.-\ — This  new  species  has  been  observed  only  at  a 
single  place,  the  falls  of  the  Yantic  at  Norwich ;  and  here  in  a  very 


*  Electric  Calamine,  though  unknown  as  a  natural  production  in  the  State,  never- 
theless occurred  lining  the  chimney  of  an  iron-furnace  in  Salisbury,  in  the  form  of 
thin  crusts  coated  by  small  crystals  (593). 

t  This  species  was  discovered  during  the  progress  of  the  survey,  and  is  named 
for  his  Excellency  the  Governor  of  the  State  (see  American  Journal  of  Science  and 
Arts,  Vol.  xxxii,  p.  162).  The  following  is  a  brief  account  of  its  properties :  primary 
form,  oblique  rhombic  prism  of  95°  ;  cleavage  parallel  to  the  base  uneven,  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  longer  diagonal,  perfect ;  lustre  vitreous  to  adamantine  ;  color  hyacinth- 


124 

limited  quantity.  It  occurs  in  small,  brownish  or  hyacinthine  red 
crystals  (3596),  disseminated  through  bucholzite,  in  a  red  feldspathic 
granite,  contained  in  gneiss.  The  crystals  are  rarely  above  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  in  length,  and  one-sixth  of  an  inch  in  thickness. 

Genus  4.     Hal-Baryte. 

Heavy  Spar  attends  the  ores  of  copper  generally  in  the  secondary 
of  the  State,  and  is  found  also  in  the  copper-mine  at  Bristol.  The 
most  abundant  locality  of  this  species  is  in  Cheshire,  about  two  and 
a  half  miles  southeast  from  the  village.  It  forms  veins  in  sandstone 
at  this  place,  one  of  which  cuts  directly  across  the  highway  with  an 
average  width  of  three  feet.  Half  a  mile  from  this,  in  a  westerly 
direction  on  the  road  leading  to  the  Cheshire  turnpike,  appearances 
of  the  same  vein  come  into  view  near  the  road.  The  mineral  is 
here  more  crystalline  in  its  texture,  and  is  accompanied  by  crystal- 
lized quartz.  Numerous  very  perfect  and  transparent  crystals,  were 
formerly  furnished  by  this  locality  (see  figures  228,  232,  233,  234, 
235,  236,  237  of  my  Mineralogy).  Apparently  the  same  vein,  (at  a 
place  half  a  mile  farther  west,  where  a  trench  several  rods  in  length 
and  many  feet  in  depth  has  been  excavated  for  copper)  affords  large 
quantities  of  the  massive  variety,  in  broad  lamellar  individuals,  and 
rarely  also,  crystallized  specimens  (360).  It  is  frequently  blended 
with  quartz-crystals  and  green  malachite  (362).  Heavy  spar  is  like- 


red  to  reddish  brown;  streak  white;  transparent  to  translucent;  hardness=4-5  ; 
specific  gravity=4-2  to  46.  Alone,  before  the  blowpipe,  in  very  thin  fragments,  it 
loses  its  red  color,  becoming  pearl-gray  with  a  tinge  of  yellow,  and  fuses  with  great 
difficulty  on  the  edges  into  a  transparent  glass.  With  borax  in  little  fragments,  it 
turns  white  and  gradually  dissolves,  forming  a  globule  which  is  bright  yellowish 
green  while  warm,  but  colorless  when  cold.  When  powdered,  it  is  acted  upon  very 
slowly  by  aqua  regia.  A  small  quantity  placed  on  platinum-foil  and  moistened  with 
sulphuric  acid,  tinges  the  flame  of  the  blowpipe  green.  It  consists  of 

Protoxide  of  cerium,  -  -        56-53 

Phosphoric  acid,        -  -        26-66 

Zirconia,        -  7-77 

Alumina,       ...  4-44 

Silicic  acid,  ...  .          3-33 

Protoxide  of  iron,      -  -      a  trace 

Glucina,         -  " 

Magnesia,      -  " 

98-73 


125 

wise  found  along  with  copper-ore  in  Bellamy's  mine  in  Cheshire, 
and  at  Rocky  Hill  near  Hartford.  By  itself  also,  it  forms  a  vein 
six  inches  wide  in  trap  at  More's  mill,  Kensington  parish,  in  Berlin. 
The  excavations  for  coal  at  Sandy  Hook,  Newtown,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  brook,  furnish  samples  of  heavy-spar,  associated  with  quartz, 
fluor,  and  green  talc. 

Genus  5.     Lead-Baryte. 

White  Lead-Ore  has  been  noticed  only  in  a  few  small  crystals  at 
the  lead-mine  in  Brookfield,  associated  with  galena,  blende  and  cal- 
amine. 

Genus  6.      Coppcr-Baryte. 

Blue  Malachite. — Minute  quantities  of  this  species  attend  the  cop- 
per-ores generally.  A  few  distinct  samples  of  it  have  been  obtained 
from  Rocky  Hill,  near  Hartford,  where  it  was  found  in  quartz-veins, 
associated  with  variegated  copper,  green  malachite  and  bitumen  (320). 

Green  Malachite  almost  invariably  accompanies  the  copper-ores, 
wherever  they  occur  throughout  the  Slate.  Crystallized  varieties 
are  uncommon.  At  the  most  westerly  copper-diggings  in  Cheshire, 
specimens  are  found,  exhibiting  globular  and  botryoidal  shapes  (362) 
implanted  upon  quartz  and  heavy  spar.  Fascicular  aggregations  of 
delicate  crystals  have  also  been  noticed  at  Bristol,  though  its  pre- 
vailing condition  at  this  place,  is  pulverulent  (3626),  which  is  the 
fact  also  at  the  copper-mine  in  Hamden,  in  Granby  and  in  Man- 
chester (363,  365).  It  is  an  impalpable  coating  likewise  at  Suffield 
(Enfield  bridge),  on  cupreous  slate  (3446),  and  at  Orange  (366). 

ORDER  IV.     MICA. 
Genus  1.     Euchlore-Mica. 

Vranite  presents  itself  occasionally  in  the  china-stone  quarry  at 
Middletown,  in  minute  tabular  crystals  and  thin  scales  of  a  siskin- 
green,  or  lemon-yellow  color.  It  is  attended  by  pitchblende,  ura- 
nium ochre  and  apatite  (367). 

Genus  4.     Iron-Mica. 

Vimanite  has  been  detected  only  in  a  few  instances  as  imparting 
an  indigo-blue  color  to  clay.  It  thus  occurred  at  Manchester  (3306), 
and  at  the  Ore-hill  in  Salisbury. 


126 


Genus  5.     Graphite-Mica. 

Plumbago. — This  species  attracted  attention  at  a  very  early  pe- 
riod, in  the  town  of  Ashford,  where  it  appears  to  have  been  explored 
to  some  extent.  The  original  excavation  is  now  concealed  by  a 
large  stone-heap,  and  by  a  public  highway.  Plumbago  however, 
is  frequently  to  be  noticed  in  small  scales  disseminated  through 
the  gneiss,  both  in  place  and  in  loose  blocks,  at  various  places  in 
a  southwesterly  line  from  the  black  lead-mine  in  Sturbridge  (Mass.), 
through  Union,  Westford,  Willington,  as  far  as  Mansfield  and  He- 
bron. It  is  found  extensively  also  in  Cornwall  (369,  370)  near  the 
Housatonick  river,  where  it  occurs  in  gneiss,  taking  the  place  of 
mica  in  the  rock  (74),  and  likewise  associated  with  pyroxene.  It 
has  been  met  with  also  in  Bethany  (371),  in  Reading  near  Fos- 
ter's factory,  in  Danbury  one  and  a  half  miles  above  the  village, 
and  at  Vernon  in  the  flag-stone  quarry  (368). 

Genus  6.     Talc-Mica. 

Talc  in  a  highly  crystalline  condition  is  but  little  known  in  the 
State.  Minute,  yellowish  white  hexagonal  plates  are  sometimes  ob- 
servable, implanted  on  crystallized  mica  at  the  topaz-vein  in  Trum- 
bull,  and  in  crystals  of  the  chloritic  variety,  having  the  shape  of 
double  cones  applied  base  to  base,  in  Monroe.  The  slightly  co- 
hering, small,  scaly  variety  of  a  blue  color,  (called  nacrite,)  is  found 
at  Mead's  lime-quarry  in  Ridgefield  (372),  and  common  chlorite  in 
Newtown  (375)  and  Norwich  (372y).  Slaty  chlorite  exists  in  Litch- 
field  (373y)  containing  broad  scales  of  black  mica ;  and  chlorite-slate 
constitutes  an  important  geological  formation  in  Orange,  Milford  and 
Woodbridge  (186,  187).  Chlorite  enters  largely  also  into  the  com- 
position of  the  chloritic  granite  of  Lebanon  and  North  Stonington 
(107,  1276).  Glazings  of  white  talc  coat  the  cleavages  of  the  to- 
paz-vein at  Trumbull  (376),  and  the  chrysoberyl-granite  of  Had- 
dam  (10).  A  talcose  slate  both  green  and  gray  (373,  374)  occurs 
in  Somers,  another  in  Wilton  (212)  and  another  in  Bristol  (215). 
The  last  mentioned  contains  irregular  seams  of  compact  talc  (376y). 
The  trap  of  South  Britain  embraces,  in  some  places,  spherical  masses 
of  radiated  chlorite. 


127 

Mica. — This  important  species,  though  a  widely  diffused  ingre- 
dient of  most  of  our  rocks,  is  nevertheless  not  remarkable  for  inter- 
esting mineralogical  varieties.  The  Middletown  range  of  large 
grained  granite  however,  is  not  without  some  interest  in  respect  to 
its  varieties  of  mica.  A  grayish  brown  variety  with  a  shade  of  green, 
which  is  often  in  large  distinct  crystals  and  in  coarse  granular  mas- 
sive individuals  (377)  as  well  as  in  broad  foliated  plates,  is  common 
at  the  china-stone  quarry.  The  same  range,  but  near  the  lead-mine 
in  Middletown,  produces  in  small  quantity  a  large  grained,  pink  col- 
ored variety  (lepidolite).  The  mica  of  the  topaz- vein  in  Trumbull, 
is  sometimes  found  in  large  distinct  crystals,  implanted  on  quartz.  A 
perfectly  white  mica  in  small  scales,  is  found  in  the  Watertown  lime- 
stone (378)  and  likewise  in  the  quartzy  mica-slate  of  Stafford  (171). 

The  quartzy  mica-slate  at  Killingly  (178)  contains  a  variety  in 
hair-brown  scales.  Black  mica  in  large  plates  occurs  in  the  albitic 
granite  of  Plymouth  (9)  :  it  is  also  abundant,  but  in  small  scales,  in 
the  albitic  gneiss  of  Madison  (676),  Chester  and  Haddam  (946).  A 
variety  of  the  same  color,  but  occurring  in  elongated  parallelograms, 
abounds  in  the  fine-grained,  flesh-colored  granite  of  Upper  Mystic 
(446).  A  light  greenish  gray  mica  in  curved  lamins,  enters  largely 
into  the  composition  of  the  mica-slate  of  Roxbury  (146),  while  the 
mica  of  the  Bolton  mica-slate  is  of  a  shining  silver-gray  (1416).  The 
variety  pinite,  often  crystallized,  but  more  commonly  massive,  is 
found  in  the  chrysoberyl-granite  at  Haddam  (379). 

Genus  7.     Gypsum-Mica. 

Gypsum. — The  trap  of  Cheshire  and  Middlefield  very  rarely  em- 
braces thin,  transparent  laminag  of  this  species,  which  occupy  the  cav- 
ities of  agate  or  zeolite-geodes.  It  also  presents  itself  as  a  secondary 
product  in  small  radiating  crystals,  on  the  decomposing  pyritous  mag- 
netic iron-ore  of  Washington. 

ORDER  V.     PICROSMINE. 
Genus  1.     jllelene-Picrosmine. 

Serpentine  in  small,  green  crystalline  individuals,  is  found  dissem- 
inated through  the  dolomite  of  Ridgefield  at  Mead's  lime-quarry 
(380).  The  precious  serpentine  of  oil  and  siskin-green  colors  (381) 
occurs  entering  into  the  composition  of  the  Milford  and  New  Haven 


128 

green  marbles.  At  the  Milford  quarry,  nodular  masses  of  black  ser- 
pentine (230)  are  found,  and  which  impart  to  the  rock  its  verd  an- 
tique character.  Black  serpentine  forms  extensive  beds  also  in 
Greenwich  (236),  Litchfield  (2376)  and  Winchester  (236).  It  oc- 
curs besides,  in  boulders  very  frequently  in  the  western  part  of 
the  State. 

Picrolite. — This  fibrous,  asbestiform  mineral  is  very  abundant  in 
the/New  Haven  green  marble-quarry,  where  it  presents  several  va- 
rieties of  structure  and  color.  It  sometimes  occurs  in  large  and 
slightly  curved,  fibrous  individuals  of  a  yellowish  white  color.  It 
also  forms  strait,  parallel,  silky  fibres,  intermingled  with  white  do- 
lomite (383),  and  again  in  almost  imperceptible,  brownish  gray  fibres 
(3826).  It  is  less  common  in  the  Milford  quarry,  but  occurs  at 
Stratford  (near  the  mouth  of  the  harbor)  in  veins  traversing  serpen- 
tine-rock. It  here  possesses  a  fine  columnar,  or  fibrous  texture,  and 
a  leek  green  color  (382). 

ORDER    VI.     SPAR. 

Genus  2.    Disthene-Spar. 

Kyanile  is  found  in  rolled  masses  in  the  towns  of  Litchfield  and 
Washington,  often  of  considerable  size,  and  altogether  composed  of 
this  mineral,  with  the  exception  of  thin  layers  of  white  talc  and  occa- 
sional grains  and  crystals  of  corundum.  It  is  without  doubt  derived 
from  the  mica-slate  of  the  region,  although  as  yet  it  has  not  been  dis- 
covered in  place.  The  mineral  is  in  broad,  rather  short  columnar 
individuals,  aggregated  in  a  confused  manner,  and  possessing  a  deli- 
cate, pale  berlin-blue  color  (3S7).  Detached  masses  of  a  similar  vari- 
ety, though  of  a  deeper  blue  color,  occur  in  Plymouth  (3876).  The 
mica-slate  of  Oxford  near  Humphreysville,  abounds  in  nests  of  a 
semi-transparent  quartz  sometimes  eighteen  inches  in  diameter, 
which  are  thickly  traversed  by  crystals  of  kyanite.  The  mica-slate 
of  Vernon  and  Bolton  probably  contain  this  mineral  under  similar 
circumstances,  as  boulders  of  it  are  found  in  Bolton  (385)  and  Cov- 
entry (386).  A  grayish  white  variety  in  slender  curved  prisms,  was 
found  disseminated  in  small  quantity  through  gneiss  in  Chaplin  (388). 
Indeed  kyanite  is  to  be  found  in  small  crystals  occasionally,  through- 
out the  mica-slate  ranges  of  the  State  ;  but  the  places  above  men- 
tioned are  the  only  ones  appearing  to  possess  much  mineralogical 
interest. 


129 

Spodumene  is  found  in  Brookfield,  a  few  rods  north  of  Tomlin- 
son's  tavern.  It  enters  in  small  quantity,  into  the  composition  of  a 
feldspathic  granite  (389)  in  the  form  of  small  nearly  transparent, 
grayish  or  greenish  white  individuals,  which  are  with  difficulty  dis- 
tinguishable from  feldspar. 

Genus  3.     Dystome-Spar. 

Datholite. — This  interesting  trappean  species  is  unusually  abun- 
dant in  Connecticut.  Six  localities  are  already  known  ;  and  when 
the  trap  shall  have  been  fully  explored,  the  number  will  doubtless  be 
much  increased.  It  has  been  noticed  perhaps,  in  the  largest  quan- 
tity at  the  Rocky-hill  quarry,  Hartford  ;  where  it  exists  crystallized 
and  massive  in  seams,  sometimes  nearly  an  inch  in  width  (391, 
392).  The  amygdaloid  in  the  northeast  part  of  Southington,  near 
the  house  of  Mr.  HAMLIN,  abounds  with  the  mineral  in  several  vari- 
eties;  crystallized,  massive  in  large  granular  individuals,  and  in  deli- 
cately diverging  individuals  (390,  393,  394).  The  larger  cavities 
in  the  trap  contain  also,  transparent  calcareous  spar  ;  and  the  rock  it- 
self abounds  in  light  colored  chloritic  globules,  imparting  to  it  an 
oolitic  appearance.  It  exists  also  in  the  amygdaloid  of  Berlin  (near 
Kensington),  and  farther  south  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Meriden, 
and  in  Middlefield  (at  the  falls).  It  has  also  been  observed  at  the 
Roaring  brook  in  Cl.eshire. 
* 
Genus  5.  Kouphone-Spar. 

Prehnite  in  very  perfect  crystals,  associated  with  chabasie,  was 
formerly  obtained  in  trap  at  Farmington,  near  where  the  canal  is 
taken  across  the  Farmington  river.  The  trap  range  just  east  of 
Woodbury,  abounds  in  balls  and  veins  of  prehnite  (395).  It  is  here 
found  in  reniform.  globular  and  stalactitic  shapes  of  a  pale  greenish- 
white  color.  It  occurs  also  in  small  quantity  in  numerous  places 
throughout  the  trap-range,  as  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Haven,  Chesh- 
ire, Middlefield  falls,  Berlin,  Simsbury  and  Southbury.  It  is  also 
found  distinctly  crystallized  in  a  chloritic  slate,  altered  by  a  trap  dyke 
(396),  near  the  line  of  New  Haven  and  Woodbridge. 

Jlnalcime,  in  small,  though  distinct,  trapezohedral  crystals  (398)  is 
found  in  the  trap  of  Black-rock,  East  Haven. 

17 


J30 

Chabasie. — This  is  a  rare  mineral  in  the  trap  of  the  State,  having 
only  been  observed  at  Farmington  and  Cheshire,  in  both  places  at- 
tended by  prehnite.  It  occurs  in  yellowish  white  crystals  along  with 
stilbite,  heulandite  and  garnet  at  Hadlyme  in  the  flagging-stone 
gneiss  ;  also  at  the  Paugatuck  stone-quarry  in  Stonington,  both 
massive  and  crystallized  (399),  associated  with  scapolite,  sphene 
and  apatite.  A  massive  variety  of  a  yellowish-red  color  in  granitic 
gneiss,  is  found  in  North  Killingworth  on  the  Essex  turnpike,  where 
it  crosses  the  Hammonasset  river. 

Laumonite  is  found  in  considerable  abundance,  both  massive  and 
crystallized,  filling  up  narrow  seams  in  gneiss  at  Bradleysville  in 
Litchfield.  The  mineral  is  brought  into  view,  by  the  excavations 
made  in  the  construction  of  a  raceway  for  a  paper-mill.  Its  color  is 
white,  and  its  lustre  pearly  (3966).  A  somewhat  analogous  variety  is 
found  in  Southbury,  a  little  east  of  the  village,  on  land  of  Mr.  STILES. 
A  mineral  also  which  appears  to  belong  to  this  species,  occurs  in  the 
town  of  Woodbridge,  about  seven  miles  from  New  Haven,  on  the 
Humphreysville  turnpike,  in  a  ledge  of  mica-slate,  which  has  been 
excavated  to  some  extent  in  making  room  for  the  highway.  It  is  in 
seams  of  gray  quartz,  and  is  accompanied  by  calcareous  spar  and  mas- 
sive garnet.  It  is  nearly  colorless  and  transparent,  consisting  of  an  ag- 
gregation of  small  crystalline  grains,  partially  elongated  in  their  fig- 
ure, and  exhibiting  under  the  microscope  distinct  cleavages.  On 
exposure  to  the  air  for  a  short  time,  it  loses  its  transparency,  and 
gradually  falls  to  the  condition  of  a  powder  which  has  a  pinkish- 
white  color  (5946,  5956).  Laumonite  is  found  occupying  thin 
seams  in  trap  at  East  and  West  rock  near  New  Haven,  and  probably 
at  many  other  places  in  the  same  formation. 

JVLesotype  has  been  found  in  small  quantity  in  very  perfect  crys- 
tals, upwards  of  an  inch  in  length  at  Cheshire  (see  figures  292  and 
293  my  Mineralogy),  where  it  occurred  in  trap  associated  with 
prehnite  and  chabasie.  It  occurs  in  the  same  rock,  in  radiating 
closely  aggregated  fibres  at  Humphreysville  ;  and  of  a  similar  struc- 
ture on  gneiss,  at  Washington  and  Hadlyme  (3976). 

Stilbite  in  very  minute,  yet  well  formed  crystals,  is  plentifully 
found  in  thin  seams  traversing  the  trap  of  Black-rock  in  East  Haven 
(400.)  Its  color  is  white.  A  similar  variety  occurs  in  the  gneiss- 
quarry  at  Thatchersville  near  Bridgeport,  lining  small  cavities  in  a 


131 

large-grained  granite  (401).  It  is  also  found  at  Hadlyme  on  gneiss, 
in  columnar  radiating  individuals  (401),  associated  with  epidote,  gar- 
net, scapolite  and  apatite. 

Heulandite  has  merely  been  detected  in  a  few  instances,  along 
with  stilbite  and  chabasie  at  Hadlyme. 

Genus    7.     Feldspar. 

Feldspar. — Next  to  quartz,  this  is  the  most  abundant  species  in 
the  State.  It  is  rare  however  here,  as  it  is  in  all  other  countries,  to 
obtain  it  in  well  defined  crystals.  The  china-stone  quarry  in  Mid- 
dletown,  occasionally  affords  imperfect  crystals  of  the  sexdecimal 
figure,  a  foot  in  length  and  six  or  eight  inches  in  thickness, — the  elon- 
gation of  the  crystal  taking  place  in  the  direction  of  the  edges  formed 
by  the  meeting  of  the  planes  P  and  M,  and  which  incline  to  each 
other  under  90°.  The  color  of  this  feldspar  is  white  with  a  slight 
tinge  of  yellow  (4106).  Crystals  of  feldspar  from  two  to  three 
inches  long  by  one  inch  in  thickness,  of  the  same  general  figure  as 
above  described  are  abundant  in  the  western  part  of  Litchfield,  near 
Bradleysville,  imbedded  in  albitic  gneiss  (4026).  Their  surfaces  are 
coated  with  scales  of  black  mica ;  and  when  broken,  they  are  seen  to 
be  permeated  throughout,  by  the  same  substance.  Small  crystals  of 
the  form  binaire,  were  found  about  one  mile  north  of  Canterbury  on 
the  road  to  Chaplin  (402).  Crystals  have  been  noticed  also  in  a 
few  instances,  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  lining  the  sides  of  small 
cavities  in  granite;  but  as  these  occurrences  were  so  isolated  and  un- 
important, they  do  not  require  enumeration.  A  white  translucent 
feldspar  in  large  individuals,  occurs  at  several  places  in  the  south- 
western part  of  Greenwich  (408,  409).  Flesh-colored  varieties  also, 
in  large  individuals  occur  in  the  same  town,  associated  with  albite  and 
tourmaline  (403).  A  very  glassy,  flesh-red  variety  occurs  atThatch- 
ersville  near  Bridgeport,  associated  with  hornblende,  quartz  and  stil- 
bite. A  deep  flesh-red  feldspar  is  found  at  New  Canaan  (405) 
and  at  Stonington  point  (156) ;  while  a  variety  almost  brick-red  is 
found  between  Wolcottville  and  Winsted  (136).  The  sun-stone  (a 
variety  which  in  certain  positions  with  regard  to  the  light,  exhibits 
reddish  and  variegated  patches  of  light)  is  found  in  Lyme.  Adu- 
laria,  a  variety  exhibiting  a  bluish  opalescence  on  the  face  of  its 
most  distinct  cleavage,  occurs  at  the  falls  of  the  Yantic  in  Norwich, 


132 

attended  by  bticholzite  and  edwardsite  (4046).  A  dark  purple  feld- 
spar enters  largely  into  the  composition  of  the  green  chloritic  granite 
of  Groton  (4066).  Green  feldspar  is  found  in  Bolton  (413).  A  dull, 
yellowish  gray  variety  (4056)  which  on  account  of  its  peculiarity 
merits  further  attention,  is  found  at  Reading  near  Danbury,  at  the 
garnet  and  pyroxene-locality.  Fetid  feldspar  is  disseminated  in 
seams  and  nodules  through  dolomite  in  Brookfield,  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  north  of  TOMLINSON'S  tavern  (415)  and  at  Danbury  near  Col. 
WHITE'S  factory  (4166).  Fine  granular  feldspar  is  frequent  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State  in  Voluntown,  Plainfield,  Sterling,  North 
Killingly  and  Thompson.  Decomposed  feldspar  (kaolin)  either 
pure  or  mingled  with  decomposed  albite,  abounds  in  New  Milford, 
Kent  and  Cornwall.  It  has  been  observed  also  in  very  small  quan- 
tity in  Granby,  Bristol  and  Killingly. 

Albite. — This  species  enjoys  a  distribution  much  greater  than  has 
been  supposed.  In  a  crystallized  state  however,  it  has  only  been 
observed  at  the  china-stone  quarry  in  Middletown.  It  is  abundantly 
found  at  this  place,  lining  cavities  in  small  translucent  or  transparent 
crystals,  both  simple  and  compound  (424).  The  massive  variety  is 
found  here  also,  both  by  itself  (425)  and  intimately  associated  with 
feldspar  (411).  In  the  latter  case,  the  most  distinct  cleavage  in  both 
species  is  so  arranged  in  the  same  direction,  as  to  render  the  two 
minerals  difficult  of  distinction,  except  by  means  of  a  slight  difference 
in  color.  Fine  granular  albite  (426)  is  also  common  in  this  quarry. 
A  very  handsome  variety  of  albite  in  large,  greenish  white,  semi- 
transparent  individuals  (4266)  is  abundant  in  Haddam,  about  half  a 
mile  southwest  of  the  court-house.  It  is  associated  with  tourmaline, 
forming  a  lacge  grained  granite.  It  sometimes  exhibits  the  bluish 
opalescence  peculiar  to  adularia.  But  the  most  delicate  white  va- 
riety of  this  species  is  that,  so  common  in  the  coarse  grained  granite 
of  Plymouth  (427).  Occasional  beds  of  this  variety  are  found  in 
Watertown,  Bethlehem,  Harwinton,  Burlington,  New  Hartford,  and 
Canton.  The  coarse  grained,  red  feldspar-granite  of  Greenwich  (8), 
includes  large  individuals  of  albite.  Nor  is  albite  less  prevalent 
among  the  different  varieties  of  granitic  gneiss,  as  well  as  among  the 
fine  grained,  stratified  granites.  Suffice  it  to  mention  in  the  way  of 
localities  in  these  rocks,  the  gneiss-quarries  of  the  Connecticut  river 
at  Middletown,  Haddam,  Chester  and  Hadlyme.  To  a  very  great 


133 


extent  in  this  region,  it  is  noticeable  that  the  gneissoid  granite  con- 
tains no  feldspar,  excepting  where  it  is  cut  across  by  granite-veins. 
The  interstratified  portions,  though  large  grained  and  coarse,  still 
exclude  feldspar  (4246)  ;  but  wherever  a  cross-vein  occurs,  the 
albite  is  completely  replaced  by  feldspar  (166).*  The  adularia 
variety  of  albite  occurs  in  nodular  masses  in  the  micaceous  gneiss  of 
Thompson  (426y),  in  the  pyritous  gneiss  of  Chaplin  (426r),  arid  of 
Union  (4276).  The  porcelain-clays  of  New  Milford,  Kent  and 
Cornwall,  are  largely  indebted  to  this  species  for  their  origin. 

Genus  8.     Andalusite-Spar. 

Jlndalusite  has  only  been  found  in  detached,  quartzy  boulders  in 
the  towns  of  Litchfield  and  Washington.  It  was  crystallized  how- 
ever, in  forms  of  unusual  size  and  perfection.  It  is  therefore  proba- 
ble that  important  localities  of  this  interesting  mineral  will  eventually 
be  discovered  in  the  mica-slate  of  these  regions. 

Genus  9.     Petaline-Spar. 

Scapolite  occurs  at  several  localities  in  the  State,  without  being 
found  any  where  in  abundance,  or  in  well  crystallized  varieties.  It 
is  the  most  largely  developed  at  Trumbull  in  the  limestone,  near  the 
topaz -vein,  where  it  is  associated  with  garnet  and  epidole  (432). 
The  massive  character  prevails  in  it  at  this  place,  though  imperfect 
crystals  sometimes  present  themselves.  Its  color  is  white.  It  is 
found  massive  in  large  individuals,  and  with  a  tendency  to  decompo- 
sition at  Stonington,  in  the  stone-quarry  at  Paugatuck.  In  becom- 
ing decomposed,  its  color  assumes  a  shade  of  pink  (434).  It  also 
occurs  at  this  place  in  small  crystalline  grains,  resembling  tabular- 
spar  (435).  Garnet,  sphene,  chabasie  and  apatite,  are  associated 
with  it,  in  the  granite.  Scapolite  occurs  lining  the  walls  of  fissures  in 
the  gneiss-quarries  of  Hadlyme  (4016),  of  the  hornblendic  gneiss  of 
Norwich,  and  of  Canterbury  (4326),  near  the  line  of  Plainfield,  and 
in  layers  with  pyroxene  at  the  notch  of  the  Bolton  mountain  (433). 


*  It  is  observable  moreover,  that  the  minerals  contained  in  the  albitic  gneiss  and 
the  granite  intersecting  it,  are  different.  The  latter  contains  beryl,  garnet  and  tour- 
maline, the  former  apatite  and  molybdenite.  These  facts  are  particularly  illustrated 
at  the  Allen-vein  in  Hacldam. 


134 


Genus  10.    dugite-Spar. 

Epidote. — The  beautifully  crystallized,  pistachio-green  varieties  of 
this  species  occur,  filling  up  seams  in  the  granite-gneiss  quarries  of 
Hadlyme  and  Chester  (4376).  Granular  epidote  (scorza)  of  the 
same  color,  is  common  in  the  albitic  gneiss  at  Higganum  in  Had- 
dam  (4386),  and  the  massive  variety  abounds  in  irregular  seams 
and  veins  in  the  hornblendic  gneiss  of  Thompson,  Killingly,  Brook- 
lyn, Plainfield,  Griswold  and  Preston.  It  is  also  frequent  in  the  chlo- 
rite-slate  of  Milford.  It  enters  as  an  ingredient  in  small  quantity, 
into  the  granites  of  Chatham  and  Glastenbury  (62).  A  well  crys- 
tallized, yellowish  gray  epidote  occurs  at  Trumbull  near  the  topaz- 
vein,  filling  up  cavities  and  occupying  seams  in  a  massive  green 
hornblende  (436).  The  crystals  are  imbedded  in  calcareous  spar, 
and  possess  a  high  lustre  and  much  perfection  of  figure.  A  pearly 
variety  (zoisite),  both  crystallized  and  massive  (438),  has  been  found 
in  Monroe.  Zoisite  also  occurs  in  rolled  masses  in  the  Milford  range 
of  green  slate  ;  in  which  rock  it  has  been  found  also,  associated  with 
yellow  copper-pyrites,  and  occupying  quartz-veins.  The  same  variety 
occurs  likewise,  to  some  extent  in  the  mica-slate  of  Vernon  (441), 
at  the  flagging-stone  quarry.  A  dull  greenish-grafy  variety,  both 
crystallized  and  massive,  is  met  with  traversing  a  hornblendic  gneiss, 
in  the  northwest  part  of  Woodbury  (437). 

Pyroxene. — This  species  is  developed  in  the  state  nearly  to  the 
same  extent  as  the  preceding,  and  yet  it  is  by  no  means  common  in 
the  crystallized  condition.  The  most  distinct  crystals  are  the  flat- 
tened white  prisms  disseminated  through  dolomite  in  Canaan.  They 
are  often  possessed  of  considerable  dimensions,  being  two  or  three 
inches  long,  by  one  or  two  in  breadth.  Their  shape  is  illustrated 
an  figures  353  and  354  of  my  Treatise.  They  are  found  in  the 
.dolomitic  sand,  as  well  as  in  the  undecomposed  rock,  near  the  post- 
office  in  Canaan.  Large  green  crystals  in  eight-sided  prisms  occur 
in  the  blue  limestone  of  Trumbull  (442),  while  transparent  ones  of 
very  minute  dimensions  (fassaite)  attend  the  fine  granular,  green 
pyroxene  (coccolite)  of  Reading,  on  the  turnpike,  near  the  line 
of  Danbury  (445y).  Massive,  broad  lamellar  varieties  in  large  in- 
dividuals (sahlite)  of  a  white  color  (4426)  are  found  in  Watertown, 
at  the  lime-quarry  near  the  Naugatuck,  and  of  a  dark  greenish  gray 


135 

(443)  in  the  green  marble-quarry  at  New  Haven.  A  grayish  hair- 
brown  variety  (4435)  occurs  in  seams  contained  in  gneiss,  with  gar- 
net and  magnetic  iron-pyrites,  between  Stafford  and  Union.  The 
quarry  of  flagging-stone  at  Vernon  contains  a  light  bluish  green,  mas- 
sive pyroxene  (445).  A  similar  variety  occurs  with  massive  horn- 
blende in  Plainfield  (4446).  A  green  massive  variety  is  found 
abundantly  in  Sharon  (4456)  on  Buck's  mountain,  associated  with 
magnetic  iron.  This  variety  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  gneiss 
of  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State.  A  massive,  compact,  strati- 
fied, white  pyroxene*  (445r),  abounds  in  North  Canaan,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Housatonick  river. 

Hornblende. — The  white  and  grayish  white,  semi-transparent  va- 
riety (tremolite)  is  almost  the  only  one  which  assumes  with  us  the 
crystallized  state  :  nor  does  this  afford  crystals  perfect,  except  in  their 
lateral  faces.  The  dolomite  of  Canaan,  between  the  falls  and  the 
post-office,  is  rich  in  this  variety  (447,  448).  It  also  occurs  in  the 
marble-quarries  of  Washington  (4486).  At  the  first-mentioned  locality, 
it  is  usually  attended  by  white  pyroxene ;  and  at  both,  it  is  accompa- 
nied by  other  varieties  of  the  present  species,  especially  by  the  fibrous 
tremolite.  At  the  marble-quarries,  the  fibres  often  become  silky 
and  are  much  interwoven,  giving  rise  to  what  is  called  paper-asbes- 
tus  (467,  4666),  and  when  the  masses,  are  thick  and  coriaceous  to 
mountain-leather  (468).  A  black  variety  in  broad,  compressed 
prisms  (449),  and  an  acicular  one  of  the  same  color  (456)  occur  in 
Torrington.  A  massive,  shining  black,  easily  cleavable  variety  (ca- 
rinthin),  associated  with  greenish  gray  pyroxene  is  abundant  a  little 
north  of  the  village  of  Danbury  (450,  451,  452).  The  grayish 
black,  massive  variety  with  metallic  reflections  (hypersthene),  is  found 
near  Bradleysville  in  Litchfield  (457.)  The  brown,  slender,  curved 
and  sometimes  interlaced  crystals  (anthophyllite)  in  granitic  gneiss, 
are  found  at  Haddam  one  mile  north  of  the  Court  House,  also  a  little 
west  of  the  village  along  with  iolite,  and  in  Guilford  two  miles 
north  of  the  centre  (458).  The  grayish  white,  radiating,  fibrous  va- 
riety (asbestiform  tremolite)  is  common  in  Greenwich  (461),  Win- 
chester (462),  Litchfield  (465),  Wilton  and  New  Hartford.  The 


*  This  mineral  was  originally  described  by  Prof.  HITCHCOCK  as  scapolite,  and 
was  afterwards  referred  to  by  myself,  as  saussurite. 


136 

fibres  are  sometimes  long  and  parallel,  as  at  the  locality  in  Winchester 
(466).  Common  massive,  black  and  greenish  black,  hornblende 
(454)  enters  largely  into  the  composition  of  the  sienite  of  Litchfield  ; 
and  into  the  hornblendic  gneiss  so  abundant  in  Preston,  Griswold, 
Canterbury,  Plainfield,  Brooklyn,  Killingly  and  Thompson,  not  to 
mention  its  occasional  presence  in  all  the  varieties  of  gneiss,  and  the 
part  it  plays  in  the  secondary  trap  of  the  State. 

Genus  11.     Tabular  Spar. 

Tabular  Spar  in  very  limited  quantity,  is  associated  with  quartz 
and  calcareous  spar,  at  the  place  in  Brookfield  where  an  excavation 
was  made  for  copper-ore.  It  is  massive,  and  in  large  individuals  of 
a  white  color  (469). 

Boltonite  is  found  in  Ridgefield  at  Mead's  lime-quarry.  It  oc- 
curs in  yellowish  or  bluish  gray  grains  disseminated  with  mica, 
through  dolomite  (470),  and  at  Hill's  quarry  in  Reading,  of  a  pale 
straw-yellow  color  (4716).  Boulders  of  the  same  mineral  are  com- 
mon in  Danbury  (471). 

ORDER  VII.    GEM. 
Genus  1.     Corundum. 

Spinel,  in  small  black  octahedral  crystals,  has  been  detected  at 
Haddam,  associated  with  chrysoberyl,  beryl,  garnet,  &c.,  at  the  well 
known  locality  near  the  meeting-house. 

jlutomolite  is  found  at  the  same  place,  with  the  last  mentioned  spe- 
cies. It  presents  a  dark  green  color,  with  a  tinge  of  blue  (47  ly), 
and  occurs  both  crystallized  and  massive. 

Genus  3.     Topaz. 

Topaz. — Of  this  precious  substance,  a  very  remarkable  locality 
exists  in  the  town  of  Trumbull.  It  here  forms,  along  with  fluor, 
magnetic  iron-pyrites  and  yellow  copper-pyrites,  a  vein  of  considera- 
ble dimensions,  cutting  across  a  micaceous  limestone.  The  rock'has 
a  northerly  direction  with  a  dip  of  15°  west.  The  direction  of  the 
vein  is  north,  20°  west,  and  its  dip  is  from  75  to  80°  east.  The 
topaz  forms  from  ten  to  eighteen  inches  of  the  more  central  part  of 
the  vein,  where  it  is  much  blended  up  with  fluor,  mica,  quartz,  talc, 
magnetic  iron-pyrites,  and  yellow  copper-pyrites;  and  on  each  side 


137 

this  aggregate  is  bounded  with  fluor  lo  the  thickness  of  from  six  to 
twelve  inches.  The  topaz  forms  a  large  proportion  of  the  vein, 
so  far  as  it  has  been  opened,  which  is  for  several  rods  in  extent,  and 
to  the  depth  of  from  five  to  ten  feet.  It  is  rarely  crystallized  with 
high  degrees  of  perfection,  though  the  lateral  primary  planes  and 
several  of  the  pyramidal  faces,  are  more  or  less  distinguishable. 
Among  the  smaller  crystals,  it  is  not  rare  to  find  those  which  are  in 
a  measure  perfect  and  transparent*  (473) ;  but  the  larger  ones  are 
only  semi-transparent  or  translucent.  The  size  of  the  crystals  is  the 
most  extraordinary  feature  of  the  locality.  They  often  occur  six 
and  eight  inches  in  diameter,  with  a  length  of  from  three  to  seven 
inches.  The  surfaces  of  the  large  crystals  however,  are  generally 
rough;  and  often  more  or  less  coated  by  mica  and  flour,  which  last 
mineral  often  penetrates  the  substance  of  the  crystals.  The  pre- 
vailing color  is  while  (474),  excepting  in  those  parts  of  the  vein 
where  the  species  of  pyrites  above  mentioned  abound ;  here,  the 
crystals  assume  a  dark  greenish  tinge  (475).  There  can  be  but  little 
doubt,  that  this  vein  when  thoroughly  laid  open,  will  yield  all  the  va- 
rieties of  the  species  in  great  richness  and  perfection. 

Genus  4.     Emerald. 

Beryl,  though  not  so  abundant  perhaps  as  might  have  been  anti- 
cipated from  the  primitive  character  of  the  State,  is  still  found  at 
several  places  in  considerable  perfection.  A  coarse  grained  granite 
in  the  northwestern  part  of  Monroe,  has  afforded  the  most  interest- 
ing variety  of  well  crystallized  and  handsomely  colored  beryl  (476, 
478).  The  crystals,  which  are  greenish  white  and  very  thickly  dis- 
seminated through  the  rock,  are  generally  from  one  quarter  to  three 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  much  elongated,  and  often  bent 
either  by  a  gradual  curvature  or  else  by  a  slipping  of  the  cross  la- 
mina? successively  towards  one  side,  throughout  the  entire  length  of 
the  crystal.  More  perfect  crystals  of  a  richer  green,  approaching 
that  of  the  emerald,  have  very  rarely  been  met  with  in  the  fluor  of 
the  topaz-vein  in  Trumbull,  some  of  which  are  surmounted  at  their 
extremities  by  highly  polished  facets.  A  single  crystal  of  about  one 

\ 

*  Representations  of  particular  forms  which  have  been  detected  at  this  locality, 
may  be  seen  in  figures  439,  440  and  441,  of  my  Mineralogy. 

18 


138 

inch  in  diameter  was  observed  near  the  centre  of  Oxford,  imbedded 
in  granite.  Middletown  and  Haddam  are  also  rich  in  the  present 
species.  In  the  china-stone  quarry,  large  crystals  of  a  greenish  yel- 
low color  (4796)  occur ;  and  the  same  kind  of  granite  continues  to 
afford  a  similar  variety  at  various  points,  quite  to  Roaring  brook  in 
Glastenbury.  Here,  in  a  bed  of  reddish  granite,  a  deep  green 
variety  of  beryl  is  found  .(479).  The  granite-veins  of  Haddam 
and  Chatham  also,  furnish  beryl  in  considerable  abundance.  At  the 
chrysoberyl-vein  near  the  meeting-house,  crystals  sometimes  five  or 
six  inches  in  diameter,  occasionally  occur.  They  have  a  greenish 
yellow  color,  sometimes  passing  into  wax-yellow ;  and  are  frequently 
penetrated  by  crystals  of  chrysoberyl.  The  feldspar  granite  of  the 
Allen-vein  quarry  contains  a  bluish  green  beryl  (477),  often  in  large 
crystals.  They  sometimes  exhibit  a  very  peculiar  tendency  towards 
an  acute  pyramidal  termination,  at  one  extremity.  Two  miles  south 
of  this  place,  a  yellow,  transparent  and  perfectly  crystallized  variety 
was  formerly  obtained,  occupying  a  thin  quartz-vein  in  a  very  mica- 
ceous gneiss.  The  form  of  the  crystal  is  represented  in  figure  56 
of  my  Mineralogy.  The  granite  of  Chatham  near  the  cobalt-mine, 
has  also  afforded  crystals  of  the  present  species. 

Chrysoberyl. — The  most  remarkable  repository  of  this  species 
known,  occurs  at  Haddam.  It  is  situated  in  talcy  granite,  two  or 
three  rods  east  of  the  meeting-house,  and  has  been  explored  for  twenty 
feet  in  length  to  a  depth  of  six  or  eight  feet,  and  for  a  breadth  of 
nearly  ten  feet.  The  granite,  which  is  mostly  albitic,  abounds  in 
precious  garnet,  and  contains  also  yellow  beryl,  columbite,  zircon, 
aulomolite,  &tc.  The  chrysoberyl  occurs  in  large  distinct  crystals, 
simple  and  compound  (see  fig.  136  of  my  Mineralogy)  as  well  as 
massive  (480),  imbedded  in  albite,  beryl  and  garnet.  It  is  semi- 
transparent,  and  its  color  is  olive-green. 

Genus  5.     Quartz. 

lolite  is  found  in  Haddam  in  the  albitic  granite,  half  a  mile  south- 
west of  the  court-house.  It  occurs  in  large  massive  individuals, 
having  one  very  eminent  cleavage.  Its  colors  are  various  shades  of 
blue  and  green,  the  former  predominating  (481)  ;  it  is  transparent 
in  spots,  and  possessed  of  dichroism.  It  is  obtained  at  this  place 
with  some  difficulty,  and  does  not  promise  to  be  abundant.  A  less 


139 

pure  variety  intimately  blended  up  with  quartz,  anthophyillite,  gar- 
net and  mica,  exists  in  gneiss  (482)  at  a  place  in  the  highway  on 
the  hill,  a  little  west  of  the  village.  But  a  much  more  abundant 
source  of  this  mineral  may  be  indicated,  as  existing  between  the  She- 
tucket  river  and  the  Quinebaug,  and  within  a  few  rods  of  the  Nor- 
wich and  Worcester  rail-way,  where  the  gneiss-rock  has  been  ex- 
tensively blasted  out  to  make  room  for  its  passage,  tt  is  massive, 
in  large  individuals  (4826),  semi-transparent,  and  possessed  of  a 
deep  indigo-blue  color.  It  is  immediately  imbedded  in  quartz  and 
attended  by  a  blood-red  massive  garnet,  and  a  singular  variety  of 
feldspar  having  a  pale  yellowish  green,  pinkish  red  and  cinnamon- 
brown  color.  It  is  semi-transparent,  and  occurs  in  masses  about  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  Its  lustre  is  vitreous,  and  its  specific 
gravity  is  between  2*4  and  2*7.  Its  hardness  =  7*0.  Before  the 
blowpipe  in  small  fragments,  it  fuses  with  difficulty  into  a  semi-trans- 
parent white  glass. 

Quartz. — In  treating  of  so  universal  a  species,  it  will  be  proper 
to  notice  only  a  few  of  its  more  interesting  varieties.  Long  slender, 
semi-transparent  crystals  (483)  abound  in  the  soil  of  a  hill,  one  mile 
southwest  of  Haddam  village.  They  are  evidently  derived  from 
the  walls  of  fissures,  or  cavities  in  granite,  to  which  they  were  at- 
tached by  one  extremity.  They  vary  from  one  to  five  inches  in 
length,  and  are  often  aggregated  laterally  into  groups.  A  some- 
what similar  variety  but  in  much  larger  crystals,  occurs  in  the  north- 
eastern part  of  Thompson.  Large  tabular,  semi-transparent  crys- 
tals in  compressed  prisms,  occur  in  Mead's  lime-quarry  in  Ridge- 
field  (485).  Minute  doubly  terminated  crystals,  are  found  imbed- 
ded in  the  compact  gray  limestone  of  Northford  (484).  Drusy 
quartz  associated  with  limonite  (487)  and  ferruginous  jasper,  abounds 
at  the  ore- bed  in  Kent.  Crystals  of  the  purple  variety  (ame- 
thyst) are  occasionally  found,  lining  geodes  in  the  trap  of  Wood- 
bury,  Southbury,  Berlin  and  East  Haven.  A  large  accumulation  of 
crystallized  and  drusy  white  quartz,  occurs  in  boulders  on  Whortle- 
berry hill  in  Canton  (4936).  A  coarsely  columnar  variety  at  this 
place  is  sometimes  striped  with  pale  purple  (4916).  Large  boulders 
of  a  drusy  and  white  columnar  quartz,  sometimes  containing  galena 
and  blende,  are  common  in  the  diluvium  of  Plymouth.  Rose-colored 
quartz  (492),  is  found  occasionally  in  the  china-stone  quarry  in  Mid- 


140 

dletown,  and  apparently  constituting  an  extensive  bed  in  the  south- 
western part  of  Southbury.  Milk-white,  common  quartz  exists  plen- 
tifully in  Roxbury,  in  boulders,  as  well  as  in  veins  and  beds  in  mica- 
slate  (489).  It  is  also  abundant  in  the  argillite  of  Woodbridge  (488), 
on  the  Litchfield  turnpike.  Calcedony  is  found  in  small  nodules, 
and  forming  the  walls  of  geodes  at  numerous  places  in  the  trap  re- 
gion, especially  at  Woodbury,  Southbury,  Farmington,  West  Hart- 
ford, Berlin  and  East  Haven.  In  these  places,  it  is  often  banded 
with  rnilk-white  opal,  forming  the  common  fortification  or  onyx 
agate  (495,  496,  497).  At  Southbury,  it  presents  itself  in  veins, 
stained  of  a  dark  green  (501).  A  similar  variety  is  found  at  Cheshire 
(498).  Botryoidal  calcedony,  of  a  yellowish  and  reddish  white 
color  (504),  is  frequent  in  the  clay  and  iron-region  of  New  Milford, 
Kent,  Cornwall  and  Washington.  It  is  found  in  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity of  some  of  these  depositories  in  large  boulders,  and  scattered 
also  through  the  diluvium  of  Goshen,  Torringford,  Washington,  Litch- 
field, and  sometimes  still  farther  south.*  Several  masses  of  genuine 
carnelian  have  been  found  in  Torringford  (504y).  A  yellow  jasper 
occurs  in  the  New  Milford  clay-bed  (503).  Yellow  ferruginous 
quartz  (4956)  exists  at  the  Kent  ore-bed,  together  with  a  drusy  cel- 
lular variety  (4946)  which  is  sometimes  so  light  as  to  swim  for  a  mo- 
ment, on  the  surface  of  water.  A  pseudomorphous  quartz  (493)  is 
found  in  a  large  quartz-seam  near  Straitsville  in  Prospect. 

Opal. — Slight  intermixtures  of  this  species  throughout  the  State, 
attend  all  the  striped  and  milky  calcedony,  whether  occurring  in  the 


*  The  source  of  the  calcedonic  and  jaspery  concretions  in  the  vicinity  of  the  por- 
celain-clay repositories  and  limonite  ore-beds  is,  without  doubt,  connected  with  the 
decomposition  of  the  feldspar  and  albite  from  which  the  clay  and  "  gray  fuller's 
earth"  originated.  The  silicic  acid  of  which  the  varieties  of  quartz  in  question  are 
composed,  was  brought  into  solution  by  the  liberated  alkali,  and  subsequently  pre- 
cipitated by  the  access  of  carbonic  or  sulphuric  acid.  That  this  was  the  case  ap- 
pears most  probable  from  the  fact,  that  analysis  rarely  finds  the  silicic  acid  in  such 
clays,  bearing  so  high  a  ratio  to  the  alumina  as  in  the  original  minerals,  evincing  that 
some  portion  of  the  acid  has  been  withdrawn  in  a  soluble  state  along  with  the  alkali. 
The  same  explanation  extends  to  the  hyalite,  found  lining  fissures  in  the  conglome- 
rate of  Hamden,  in  which  are  found  cavities  occupied  by  a  green  clay ;  likewise  to 
the  formation  of  hyalite  in  the  feldspar-granite  of  Hatldiim.  And  possibly  we  may 
be  authorized  in  adducing  a  similar  explanation  for  the  origin  of  agates  in  trap, 
through  a  partial  decomposition  of  the  feldspathic  ingredient  of  the  rock, 


141 

trap  or  found  in  the  diluvium.  In  addition  to  which,  small  reniform 
and  botryoidal  coatings  called  hyalite,  occur  lining  the  sides  of  fis- 
sures in  feldspar-granite  at  Haddam  (505),  also  interposed  between 
the  strata  of  conglomerate-sandstone  at  North  Haven  (508),  forming 
a  pellicle  over  cellular  quartz  at  Rocky  Hill,  near  Hartford  (507) 
and  on  trap  at  Southbury  (506),  New  Haven  and  many  other  places. 

Genus  6.    Axinite. 

Bucholzite. — The  variety  of  this  species  found  at  Chester  in  dis- 
tinct crystals  and  in  long,  massive  individuals,  is  chiefly  known  under 
the  name  of  sillimanite,  being  regarded  by  some  mineralogists  as  a  dis- 
tinct species.  It  is  found  in  quartz-layers  in  gneiss  (509).  The  same 
variety  occurs  to  some  extent  in  Norwich,  both  at  the  falls  of  the 
Yantic  and  at  the  manufacturing  village  one  mile  north  of  the  land- 
ing. In  the  former  place,  it  occurs  principally  in  long,  slender, 
fibrous  individuals,  and  is  accompanied  by  edwardsite  and  blue  co- 
rundum (510,  5106).  At  the  latter  place,  it  is  in  large  crystals  and 
massive  individuals,  coated  and  interlaminated  with  talc,  and  attended 
by  magnetic  iron  and  flesh-colored  feldspar  in  thin  granite-seams 
(5436).  Still  another  variety,  much  involved  with  talc,  is  found  in 
Haddam,  in  albitic  granite  near  the  iolite-locality,  half  a  mile  south- 
west of  the  Court  House  (511),  also  in  Groton  near  Upper  Mystic 
(512),  and  in  garnetiferous  gneiss  in  the  corner  of  Stafford,  Union 
and  Ashford  (5116).  It  would  appear  also,  that  a  locality  exists  in 
the  western  part  of  the  State,  inasmuch  as  a  pebble  of  the  compactly 
fibrous  variety  was  found  in  the  town  of  Oxford,  near  Humphreys- 
ville. 

Genus  9.     Tourmaline. 

Tourmaline. — This  is  a  frequent  ingredient  of  the  large-grained 
granites,  and  exists  also  in  other  rocks  throughout  the  Stale.  As 
meriting  the  most  particular  notice  may  be  mentioned,  the  brown- 
ish black  crystallized  variety  of  Monroe  (513,  514,  515),  which  oc- 
curs in  crystals  from  one  quarter  of  an  inch  to  two  and  a  half  in 
diameter,  with  a  length  but  little  greater  than  their  thickness.  They 
occur  thickly  disseminated  through  a  mica-slate,  consisting  almost 
wholly  of  mica,  or  of  mica  mingled  with  a  little  talc.  These  crys- 
tals are  rendered  particularly  interesting  from  the  perfection  of  their 
form,  which  is  that  of  a  six,  or  a  nine-sided  prism  with  trihedral  ter- 


142 

minations  at  both  extremities  (see  figures  443  and  444  of  my  Min- 
eralogy).    Very  brilliant  black  crystals  of  a  different  form  (see  fig. 
447  as  above)  are  found  in  granite-veins  in  the  same  town.     Had- 
dam  also  affords  very  distinct  crystals  of  this  species,  both  black  and 
brown.     The  black  is  found  in  the  albitic  granite  southwest  of  the 
Court  House,   in  crystals  above  an  inch  long.     Many  of  them  high- 
ly complete  in  their  form,  are  corroded  or  pitted  on  their  lateral  faces. 
(For  the  form,  see  figure  445   as  above).     The  brown  variety  is 
found  in  a  talco-micaceous  gneiss  on  Walkley  hill,  and  is  often  at- 
tended by  amhophyllite.     The  crystals  are  much  elongated  in  fig- 
ure, and  channelled  in  an  irregular  manner  on  the  surface  (516). 
The  white  rocks  of  Middletown  yield   at  one  place,  green  and  red, 
massive  individuals  and  crystals  of  tourmaline  :  some  of  the  latter 
possess  great  delicacy  of  tint.     They  are  associated  with  albite  and 
pink  and  green  mica.     On  a  side-hill  in  this  vicinity,  a  single  crystal 
of  red  tourmaline,  one  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter,  was  found.     A 
black  fibrous  variety  occurs  at  the  soapstone-quarry  in  Somers  (519). 
The  coarser  varieties  of  granite  usually  present  this  species  in  greater 
or  less  abundance,  and  often  in  very  large  crystals,  forming  what  has 
been  sometimes  called  a  shorlaceous  granite  (5196). 

Idocrase. — A  few  crystals  and  grains  of  a  reddish  brown  color 
have  been  detected  in  a  micaceous  seam  of  rock,  contained  in  Starr's 
marble-quarry  at  Washington  (519^). 

Genus  10.     Garnet. 

Garnet. — For  extent  and  wideness  of  diffusion,  this  mineral  is 
perhaps  entitled  to  rank  next  to  the  species  hornblende.  In  much 
of  the  mica-slate,  it  nearly  makes  good  the  place  of  feldspar  in 
gneiss,  existing  in  crystals  from  a  size  so  small,  as  to  demand  a  mi- 
croscope for  detection,  as  in  the  Bolton  rock,  up  to  that  of  a  grape, 
as  in  the  Reading  mica-slate.  Granite  and  gneiss  also  frequently 
contain  this  species ;  besides  which,  it  occurs  in  beds  and  veins  by 
itself.  It  will  be  proper  only  to  indicate  a  few  places  remarkable 
for  peculiar  varieties,  and  to  allude  generally  to  regions  where  more 
common  kinds  occur.  The  chrysoberyl-locality  at  Haddam  deserves 
to  be  mentioned  first.  The  variety  here  found  is  the  precious  gar- 
net. It  possesses  a  rich  brownish  red  color,  and  is  semi-transparent 
(530).  It  occurs  in  imperfect  trapezohedrons,  often  an  inch  or  two 


143 

in  diameter,  and  sometimes  penetrated  by  small  crystals  of  colum- 
bite.  A  very  rich  cinnamon-brown  variety  of  garnet  constitutes  an 
extensive  bed  in  gneiss  in  Reading,  on  the  turnpike,  four  miles 
south  of  Danbury.  Detached  masses  of  a  ton's  weight,  are  com- 
mon by  the  road-side.  It  appears  at  several  spots  to  be  connect- 
ed with  the  subjacent  rock.  It  is  generally  massive,  with  a  compact 
or  impalpable  structure,  yet  containing  occasional  cavities,  whose 
walls  are  lined  with  rich  transparent  crystals,  (5236).  A  fine  gran- 
ular, green  pyroxene  (445y)  or  coccolite,  is  sometimes  associated 
with  the  garnet.  A  similar  variety,  but  having  a  darker  shade  of 
red  and  less  transparent,  forms  a  bed  in  mica-slate  in  the  south  part 
of  Plymouth,  half  a  mile  southeast  of  Hoadley's  factory,  where  it  was 
formerly  explored  to  some  extent,  under  the  impression  that  it  was 
an  ore  of  iron  (5216).  The  garnet  contained  in  the  mica-slate  of 
Reading,  Washington  and  Monroe,  is  sometimes  peculiarly  interest- 
ing from  the  size  and  regularity  of  form  it  possesses.  They  vary 
in  size  from  a  pea  to  that  of  a  walnut ;  and  have  either  the  form  of 
the  trapezohedron,  or  a  shape  intermediate  between  this  and  the 
dodecahedron.  One  place  in  Reading  has  afforded  them  in  such 
profusion,  as  to  acquire  the  name  of  the  garnet-rock.  It  is  situated 
about  half  a  mile  northwest  of  the  junction  of  the  two  largest  branches 
of  the  Saugatuck,  a  short  distance  above  the  south  boundary  of  the 
town  of  Reading.  The  mica-slate  of  Stafford,  Bolton  and  Vernon 
(522,  5286),  affords  similar  varieties.  Indeed,  this  rock  throughout 
the  State  is  rarely  wholly  without  garnet  for  any  considerable  extent. 
A  delicate  rose-red  garnet  in  crystals  of  the  size  of  a  pea  and  larger, 
is  common  in  beds  of  feldspathic  granite  (5276)  in  the  corner 
of  Union,  Stafford  and  Ashford.  A  similar  variety  has  been  ob- 
served on  the  road  between  Hampton  and  Chaplin.  The  eurite  of 
Norwalk  (525)  abounds  in  minute  but  well-formed  garnets.  The 
hornblendic  gneiss  with  black  mica  of  Preston,  Norwich,  Lisbon, 
Griswold,  Plainfield,  Brooklyn  and  Thompson  (525,  526,  5296), 
contains  a  deep  red  garnet  disseminated  in  imperfect  crystals  or 
grains,  which  approximates  to  the  variety  called  pyrope.  A  rose- 
red,  fine  granular  variety  (colophonite),  intermingled  with  quartz 
(527),  is  found  in  North  Madison,  half  a  mile  east  of  the  meeting 
house,  forming  layers,  or  beds  in  gneiss.  Other  localities  worthy  of 
enumeration  are  the  following:  large-grained  granite  in  Guilford, 


144 

two  miles  northwesterly  from  the  meeting  house  (524) ;  china-stone 
quarry,  Middletown  ;  gray  granitic  gneiss  of  Guilford  (5266),  Allen- 
vein,  with  pyroxene  in  gneiss  (5246) ;  chlorite  altered  by  trap  in 
small  yellowish  green  crystals  (523)  ;  in  sand  at  Millstone  point,  near 
New  London  (528),  and  at  East  Haven  (529). 

Zircon. — This  rare  mineral  is  found  in  small  crystals  at  the  chry- 
soberyl-locality  at  Haddam  (530),  and  along  with  pitchblende  and 
feldspar  at  the  china-stone  quarry  in  Middletown. 

Staurotide  is  an  abundant  species  throughout  the  State,  being  ev- 
ery where  nearly  co-extensive  with  the  mica-slate.  The  most  stri- 
king localities  known,  are  in  the  Bolton  mountain  range,  in  the  towns 
of  Bolton,  Vernon,  Tolland  and  Stafford  (533,  534).  Next  to  this 
region  may  be  mentioned  the  mica-slate  of  Salisbury  and  Litchfield 
(5306,  5316). 

ORDER  VIII.     ORE. 
Genus  1.    Melane-Ore. 

Allanite  is  found  in  granitic  gneiss,  in  slender  black  prismatic 
prisms  about  an  inch  in  length  (5346),  in  the  town  of  North  Kil- 
lingworth  on  the  Essex  turnpike,  where  it  is  crossed  by  the  Ham- 
monasset  river. 

Genus  2.     Eruthrone-Ore. 

Sphene  accompanies  pyroxene  in  calcareous  spar  at  Trurnbull 
near  the  topaz-vein,  and  occurs  with  the  same  species  at  GOLD'S 
mine  in  the  north  part  of  Cornwall  (535).  Other  localities  are  the 
quarry  at  Thatchersville  near  Bridgeport,  where  it  is  associated  with 
a  greenish  black  massive  hornblende  (536),  and  the  quarry  near 
Paugatuck  in  Stonington,  where  it  is  associated  with  scapolite,  apa- 
tite and  chabasie.  It  was  detected  also  in  small  quantity  at  Plain- 
field  with  pyroxene  and  hornblende  in  gneiss  ;  and  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances at  New  London. 

Eremite. — This  is  a  species  never  before  described.*  It  was 
found  in  a  block  of  albitic  granite  on  land  of  Mr.  DAVID  MATOON, 


*  Its  name  is  derived  from  sof^/a  solitude,  in  allusion  to  the  fact  that  thus  far 
but  a  small  number  of  crystals  have  been  found.  It  was  discovered  by  Mr.  THOMAS 
R.  DUTTON ,  a  member  of  the  Senior  class  in  Yale  College. 


145 

three  miles  from  Waterlown  on  the  road  to  Northfield.  The  lar- 
gest crystal  found  weighs  about  six  or  eight  grains.  It  is  semi- 
transparent,  of  a  rich  clove-brown  color,  and  has  for  its  primary 
form  a  right  oblique-angled  prism  of  140°  26',  modified  by  numer- 
ous faces  on  the  terminal  edges  and  angles.  Its  lustre  is  vitreous. 
In  hardness,  it  is  between  apatite  and  feldspar.  Its  specific  gravity 
is  3-714. 

Rutile  is  found  in  considerable  abundance  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Monroe,  in  mica-slate  (537).  It  here  occurs  in  large,  indistinct 
crystals  and  grains.  The  same  rock  has  afforded  this  species  also, 
in  Bristol  and  Plymouth.  A  few  crystals  have  been  found  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  Canton  in  granite,  and  at  the  northwestern  ex- 
tremity of  New  Milford  in  dolomite  (5376). 

Red  Copper-Ore  has  only  been  found  in  very  small  quantity 
within  the  State,  and  always  associated  with  native  copper. 

Yttro-Tantalitel — This  very  rare  mineral  is  supposed  to  exist  at 
Roaring  brook  in  Glastenbury.  It  occurs  in  small  crystalline  grains, 
disseminated  through  a  flesh-red  granite  (591)  which  contains  crys- 
tals of  green  beryl.  Unless  this  mineral  belong  to  the  present  spe- 
cies, it  will  probably  prove  new.  Its  lustre  is  between  resinous  and 
metallic.  Its  color  is  iron-black,  and  its  specific  gravity  is  between 
4-9  and  5-0.  Alone  before  the  blowpipe,  it  is  unalterable ;  but  with 
carbonate  of  soda,  it  slowly  dissolves  with  effervescence,  and  when 
cold  assumes  a  delicate  sky-blue  color. 

Genus  3.     Iron-Ore. 

Magnetic  Iron  is  an  ore  like  iron-pyrites,  widely  diffused  through 
the  State,  in  a  great  variety  of  rocks  ;  although  rich  deposits  of  it  are 
less  frequent  than  in  many  other  regions  of  similar  extent.  It  exists 
in  beds  at  the  following  places  :  Buck's  mountain,  southeast  part  of 
Sharon,  half  a  mile  from  the  Housatonic  (5386) ;  in  the  southeast 
part  of  Reading  near  Sugar-hollow  turnpike  (544) ;  in  the  northeast 
part  of  Winchester  (542),  and  on  Brown's  mountain,  New  Preston 
(5426).  It  is  found  also  in  grains  and  octahedral  crystals  in  a  tal- 
cose  mica-slate  on  Mount  Riga  in  Salisbury  (5396),  and  also  in  a 
small  bed  situated  near  the  Massachusetts  line  in  the  same  vicinity. 
Thin  seams  or  beds  of  this  species  are  found  in  Newtown  associated 
with  quartz  in  gneiss  (643).  Magnetic  iron  is  found  in  granite,  in 

19 


14G 

the  condition  of  octahedral  crystals  and  large  granular  individuals,  in 
Hadlyme  at  Selden's  point  (5416).  It  is  also  common  in  North 
Madison  near  Col.  BENTON'S,  and  at  Haddam  one  mile  north  of  the 
meeting-house  (537?/).  The  red  feldspar-granite  of  Stonington 
(5406)  and  Groton,  likewise  abounds  in  small  crystals  and  grains  of 
this  ore  ;  and  magnetic  iron-sand  is  of  frequent  occurrence  along 
the  sea-coast  of  the  State,  from  Milford  to  Stonington. 

Chrome-Ore  is  found  in  small  quantity  in  the  green-marble 
range,  closely  blended  with  magnetic-iron. 

Crichtonite  occurs  engaged  in  quartz  in  rolled  masses  (5446) 
among  the  diluvium  of  South  Britain,  and  was  undoubtedly  derived 
from  the  contiguous  mica-slate  of  Roxbury. 

Specular-Iron  is  almost  unknown  in  the  State  ;  traces  of  it  only, 
existing  in  the  copper-rock  of  Manchester  (546),  and  in  diluvial 
blocks  of  porphyritic  gneiss  at  Killingly  (545). 

Limonite. — A  remarkable  region  for  this  ore  has  long  been  known 
in  the  towns  of  Salisbury,  Sharon  and  Kent,  where  it  forms  beds  ei- 
ther in  mica-slate,  micaceous  gneiss  or  quartz-rock.*  The  brown 


*  The  origin  of  limonite  in  these  rocks  may  be  attributed  to  the  decomposition  of 
the  sulphuret  of  iron  and  other  ferruginous  minerals  with  which  they  are  known  to 
abound.  It  is  obvious  also,  that  in  a  majority  of  instances,  this  change  took  place  in 
the  original  repositories  of  these  minerals;  since  no  perceptible  derangement  is  dis- 
coverable in  the  layers  of  the  ore-bed,  or  want  of  conformity  in  them,  to  the  adjacent 
rock.  The  Kent  ore-bed  is  the  only  apparent  exception  to  this  remark.  It  is  situated 
in  a  chasm  running  nearly  north  and  south,  between  soft  decomposed  gneiss  ("  gray 
fuller's  earth,")  dipping  60  or  70°  east  on  the  one  side,  and  micaceous  quartz-rock  on 
the  other,  dipping  80°  west.  The  ore-bed  consequently  has  the  shape  of  a  wedge. 
It  is  not  however  without  order  in  the  arrangement  of  its  materials,  for  a  description 
of  which  see  p.  20  of  the  Economical  Report.  Attributing  to  it  the  origin  here 
suggested,  it  would  appear  not  improbable  perhaps,  that  previous  to  the  decomposi- 
tion of  the  pyrites,  the  strata  were  all  coincident  and  in  the  position  of  C  and  F  (see 
diagram  on  p,  20),  and  that  in  consequence  of  the  change,  the  strata  D  were  bro- 
ken and  tilted  over  on  to  the  edges  of  C.  The  quantity  of  limonite  in  the  bed  must 
constantly  be  receiving  important  contributions  from  the  crumbling  down  of  the  fer- 
ruginous strata  D.  It  would  not  perhaps  be  an  extravagant  hypothesis  to  assign  the 
origin  of  the  limenite  here  wholly  to  this  source,  without  the  supposition  that  any 
considerable  beds  of  iron-pyrites  originally  existed  in  place  of  the  ore-bed  ;  for  the 
overlying  pyritous  strata  have  a  thickness  of  ten  or  twelve  yards,  and  are  favorably 
exposed  for  decomposition,  both  on  account  of  access  to  the  air  and  contiguity  to 
moisture, — the  surface  in  the  rear  of  the  bed  at  E,  being  wet  and  swampy.  The  es- 
cape of  the  limonite,  on  being  washed  into  the  bed,  is  prevented  by  the  clayey  na- 
ture of  the  decomposed  gneiss  A,  whose  inclination  towards  C  also,  would  serve  to 


147 

fibrous, ligniform  variety  (547. 548)  and  the  ochraceous  varieties  (549, 
553)  constitute  the  prevailing  kinds  at  the  ore-hill  and  Davis'  bed 
in  Salisbury,  as  well  as  at  the  Indian  ore-bed.  A  singular  variety  of 
micaceous,  earthy  limonite  (5516)  is  found  at  Davis'  ore-bed.  The 
same  place  affords  an  impalpably  compact,  yellowish  brown  variety, 
called  by  the  workmen  "  bees-wax  ore."  A  compact  heavy  ore  is 
found  in  the  north  part  of  Salisbury  at  the  beds  of  CHAPIN  &  Sco- 
VIL  (552).  The  ore  from  Kent  also  is  more  compact  and  heavy 
than  the  average-ores  of  Salisbury  and  Sharon,  in  which  respect,  it 
resembles  the  ore  found  in  the  south  part  of  Cornwall  and  at  Wash- 
ington. At  this  last  place,  it  is  contained  in  dolomite.  Several 
varieties  of  bog  iron-ore  occur  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State. 
One,  possessed  of  a  vesicular  sub-mamillary  structure,  is  found  in 
considerable  quantity  in  Colchester  (554.)  The  granular  variety 
(5536),  called  "  shot-ore,"  is  found  in  Thompson  and  Woodstock. 
At  the  latter  place  a  pumice-like  ore  occurs,  much  blended  up  with 
silica  (556)  which  is  probably  derived  from  the  feldspar  of  the  rock 
that  afforded  the  pyrites  from  whence  the  ore  originated. 

Genus  4.     Baryte-Ore. 

Wolfram. — This  species,  rendered  the  more  interesting  because 
of  its  being  the  frequent  concomitant  of  tin-ore,  is  found  in  consid- 

accumulate  it  in  the  wedge-shaped  bed  B.  It  is  noticeable  moreover,  that  the  lar- 
gest vein  of  ore  (the  anvil-ledge)  is  that  nearest  to  the  eastern  side,  C,  of  the  bed, 
and  directly  beneath  the  basseting  edges  D.  It  abounds  in  a  coarse  iron-breccia, 
made  up  of  limonite  and  quartzy  fragments  of  the  strata  D. 

In  evidence  of  an  analogous  origin  to  the  other  deposits  of  this  ore,  it  may  be  re- 
marked, that  the  micaceous  and  quartz-rocks  of  Salisbury,  Sharon  and  Kent,  are 
frequently  found  to  be  rich  in  iron-pyrites.  The  garnet  and  staurotide  also  of  the 
mica-slate  is  often  present  in  such  proportion  as  to  impart  an  highly  ferruginous  char- 
acter to  the  rock.  What  the  circumstances  are  which  have  induced  decomposition 
in  some  places  and  left  these  minerals  undecomposed  in  others,  it  is  at  present  per- 
haps impossible  to  designate  ;  though  from  the  low  level  of  the  ore-beds  and  their  con- 
tiguity to  water,  it  is  probable  that  this  is  an  important  agent  in  effecting  the  change 
under  consideration. 

The  presence  of  zinc,  lead  and  manganese  in  the  ore-bed,  as  is  proved  by  the 
formation  of  cadmia  in  the  chimneys  of  the  iron-furnaces,  is  well  accounted  for  also 
on  this  supposition;  since  it  is  well  known  that  iron-pyrites  is  rarely  unattended  by 
blende,  galena  and  spathic-iron.  The  lights  too,  which  are  sometimes  seen  during 
the  night  in  these  regions,  and  which  have  repeatedly  led  to  the  discovery  of  ore- 
beds,  can  in  no  way  be  more  satisfactorily  explained,  than  by  referring  them  to  the 
chemical  changes  which  must  be  connected  with  such  a  process. 


148 


erable  quantity  at  Lane's  mine  in  Monroe.  It  exists  in  an  extensive 
bed  of  quartz,  and  is  attended  by  tungsten,  blende,  galena,  native 
bismuth,  iron-pyrites,  &ic.  It  occurs  both  in  large  cleavable  indi- 
viduals and  in  porous  masses,  having  an  impalpable  texture  (557). 
The  latter  are  often  cast  in  the  moulds  of  large  crystals  of  tungsten, 
whose  octahedral  figure  is  precisely  copied.  The  same  mineral  oc- 
curs under  very  similar  circumstances  in  a  vein  of  quartz  at  Trum- 
bull,  near  the  topaz-vein. 

Columbite. — This  interesting  species,  discovered  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State  by  one  of  the  first  governors  of  Connecticut,  still 
continues  to  be  found  with  us  in  unusual  quantity  and  perfection. 
The  most  remarkable  samples  (559)  have  been  developed  of  late 
in  quarrying  the  china-stone  at  Middletown,  some  of  which  are  dis- 
tinguished for  the  finish  of  their  crystals  (see  fig.  498  of  my  Mine- 
ralogy). They  vary  in  size  from  a  few  lines  in  diameter  to  several 
inches  in  length ;  and  one  crystal  has  been  found  weighing  fourteen 
pounds.  The  same  granite  range  still  farther  north  near  the  river, 
has  also  afforded  crystals ;  and  Columbite  has  long  been  known  to 
exist  in  the  chrysoberyl-vein  at  Haddam,  where  it  presents  itself  both 
massive  and  in  small  slender  prisms  (558). 

Pitchblende  is  another  rare  species  developed  in  small  quantity 
by  the  china-slone  quarry  at  Middletown,  where  it  is  found  massive 
and  impalpable  in  composition,  though  often  bounded  by  faces  which 
belong  to  the  octahedral  crystallization  of  blende  (see  figure  67,  my 
Mineralogy,)  of  whose  crystals  it  is  pseudomorphous  (560). 

Genus  5.     Manganese- Ore. 

Pyrolusite  forms  thin,  pulverulent  coatings  on  the  limonite  of  Kent 
and  Salisbury. 

Genus  6.     Lusine-Ore. 

Tungstic  Ochre  attends  the  wolfram  and  tungsten  of  Monroe  and 
Trumbull,  in  the  form  of  a  delicate  straw  colored  powder  (561). 

Yellow  Uranium  Ochre,  in  the  condition  of  a  pulverulent  straw, 
or  citron,  yellow  color,  occasionally  accompanies  the  columbite  and 
pitchblende  of  Middletown  (562). 

Green  Uranium  Ochre. — This  substance  was  for  the  first  time 
observed  as  a  natural  production  in  the  china-stone  quarry  of  Mid- 


149 

dletown.  It  occurs  occupying  small  cavities,  mostly  situated  in  pitch- 
blende. Its  texture  is  earthy,  and  its  color  dark  green.  It  is  free 
from  the  oxides  of  other  metals,  being  a  pure  protoxide  of  uranium, 
with  the  exception  of  eight  per  cent,  of  earthy  matter. 

Melaconite. — This  species  in  the  form  of  a  black  pulverulent  coat- 
ing, occurs  in  very  limited  quantity  along  with  other  ores  of  copper, 
at  the  Bristol  mine  (5626). 

ORDER  IX.     METAL. 

Genus  1.     Malacone-Metal. 

Native  Bismuth  is  found  massive,  disseminated  through  quartz 
(563)  in  Lane's  mine  at  Monroe,  accompanied  by  galena,  blende 
and  iron-pyrites. 

Native  Copper  has  frequently  been  met  with  in  the  secondary  re- 
gion of  the  State,  both  in  diluvium  and  attached  to  greenstone  trap. 
A  mass  was  formerly  found  near  New  Haven,  weighing  ninety 
pounds,  and  one  in  Wallingford,  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Hartford 
turnpike,  weighing  six  pounds.  It  has  been  discovered  on  Mount 
Carmel  penetrating  trap,  and  in  Bristol  and  Farmington  under  simi-  * 

lar  circumstances.  Minute  arborescences  of  this  metal  are  found 
with  yellow  copper-pyrites  at  Lambert's  mine  in  Orange,  near 
Milford. 

Genus  2.     Scler  one-Metal. 

Native  Iron. — One  of  the  best  authenticated  localities  of  this  ex- 
traordinary substance  is  in  Canaan.  A  mass,  highly  crystallized  in 
its  texture  and  interlaminated  with  plumbago,  was  detached  from  a 
rock  on  the  Canaan  mountain  by  Mr.  BURRALL.  All  attempts  how- 
ever, to  re-discover  the  ore  have  proved  ineffectual. 

ORDER  X.     PYRITES. 

Genus  1.     Eruthleucone-  Pyrites. 

Copper-Nickel  accompanies  the  smaltine  of  Chatham,  with  which 
ore  it  is  intimately  blended.  It  is  massive,  nearly  impalpable  in 
composition  and  of  a  red  color  (564). 

Mispickel  appears  to  be  abundant  in  Derby,  at  a  place  called  the 
silver-mine,  where  an  adit  was  formerly  carried  for  some  distance 


150 

into  the  side  of  a  hill,  and  a  shaft  sunk  also  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
It  is  generally  massive  and  associated  with  quartz  (566).  It  rarely 
contains  galena  and  blende  (565).  Other  localities  are  Quaker's 
Farms  in  Southbury  (5666),  and  the  Wilton  lead-mine. 

Smaltine. — A  bed  of  this  ore,  associated  with  copper-nickel,  ga- 
lena and  blende,  is  embraced  in  mica-slate  at  Chatham  (567).  It 
is  found  massive  in  small  granular  individuals  of  a  tin-white  color. 


to' 


Genus  2.      Chlor one-Pyrites. 

Iron-Pyrites. — This  species  is  too  generally  diffused  to  permit  the 
enumeration  of  its  localities,  except  in  a  few  instances.  Crystallized 
varieties  are  found  in  the  chlorite-slate  of  Orange  and  Milford  (570), 
in  quartzy  mica-slate  in  Stafford  (571)  and  in  the  flagging-stone  quar- 
ries at  Haddam.  Massive  varieties  abound  in  the  pyrilous  gneiss  of 
Colchester,  Ashford,  Tolland,  Stafford  and  Union,  and  in  several 
other  towns  of  that  part  of  the  State.  It  likewise  attends  the  mag- 
netic iron-pyrites  at  New  Fairfield  and  Trumbull. 

Yellow  Copper-Pyrites. — The  most  important  localities  of  this 
species  are,  Trumbull  (572),  where  it  occurs  at  one  place  with  mag- 
netic iron-pyrites,  fluor  and  topaz  (574),  and  at  another  near  by, 
with  galena  and  iron  pyrites ;  at  Orange  (Lambert's  mine),  where  it 
is  accompanied  by  iron-pyrites  and  rarely  by  native  copper  (574y)  ; 
Litchfield  (Mount  Tom),  with  magnetic  iron-pyrites;  copper-mine 
at  Bristol  (5726)  ;  Southbury,  near  line  of  Roxbury  (573r),  in  a 
loose  mass  ;  and  in  traces,  in  the  towns  of  Killingly,  Brooklyn, 
Chaplin  and  Vernon. 

White  Iron-Pyrites. — Fibrous  varieties  of  this  species  are  occa- 
sionally found  in  the  mica-slate,  and  often  aid  in  giving  rise  by  de- 
composition to  iron-alum.  It  occurs  particularly  at  Haddam,  in  the 
quarry  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  where  it  is  associated  with  an- 
thophyllite  and  mica. 

Genus  3.    Bronze-Pyrites. 

Magnetic  Iron-Pyrites. — The  massive,  cleavable  variety  of  this 
species  found  at  Trumbull,  along  with  fluor,  topaz  and  yellow  cop- 
per-pyrites, is  the  most  interesting  variety  found  in  the  State  (574). 
The  common,  massive  kind  is  abundant  on  Mount  Tom,  in  Litch- 
field, disseminated  through  a  bed  of  sienite  (573),  sometimes  accom- 


151 

panied  by  yellow  copper-pyrites.  It  is  also  frequent  in  the  mica- 
slate  of  Salisbury  (5746)  and  its  vicinity.  A  bronze-colored  va- 
riety occurs  at  an  excavation  made  in  Brookfield  for  copper-ore 
(576).  It  is  abundant  also  in  New  Fairfield,  forming  the  ore  prin- 
cipally, at  Kellogg's  copperas-mine  (575). 

Variegated  Copper. — This  is  the  chief  ore  at  the  Bristol  copper- 
mine,  where  it  occurs  massive  in  granite-beds,  contained  in  mica- 
ceous gneiss  (578r,  5776).  Small  quantities  of  this  species  occur 
in  seams  of  quartz,  attended  by  yellow  copper-pyrites  and  malachite 
at  Rocky  hill,  Hartford  (577),  at  the  copper-mine  in  Manchester, 
and  at  the  Higley  copper-mine  in  Granby. 

ORDER  XI.     GLANCE. 
Genus  1.     Copper- Glance. 

Vitreous  Copper. — This  is  the  species  which  occurs  at  the  cop- 
per-mines of  Cheshire,  Granby  and  Wolcoltville.  At  Bellamy's  mine 
in  Cheshire,  it  is  both  massive  and  crystallized.  The  crystals  have 
the  form  represented  by  figs.  461  and  462  of  my  Mineralogy.  It  is 
usually  disseminated  through  sandstone-conglomerate,  and  is  often 
attended  by  green  malachite,  calcareous  spar  and  heavy  spar  (578, 
5786,  579).  It  is  likewise  crystallized  at  Wolcottville. 

Genus  2.    Polypoione- Glance. 

Galena. — This  ore  is  found  with  blende  at  the  Middletown  lead- 
mine  (582),  at  the  Brookfield  lead-mine  (580),  the  lead-mine  in 
Wilton  (582),  at  Kensington  in  Berlin  (581),  at  East  Haven  near 
the  light-house  in  granite  and  in  trap,  as  well  as  at  Monroe  and 
Trumbull. 

Molybdenite  is  found  in  the  Haddam  flagging-stone  quarries  in 
broad  flakes,  between  the  layers  of  the  gneiss,  and  in  a  bed  of  quartz 
at  Pettipaug  in  Saybrook  (587). 

Bismuthine. — A  few  slender  crystals  of  this  species  have  been 
detected  at  Haddam,  in  the  chrysoberyl-vein. 

ORDER  XII.    BLENDE. 

Genus  1.    Scler one-Blende. 

Blende  is  found  at  the  same  places  with  galena.  At  Brookfield, 
it  has  a  yellowish  green  color,  and  is  semi-transparent  (5846,  584), 


152 

at  Berlin  a  pale  yellow  color  (581),  at  Roxbury  a  brownish  black 
color  (585«/)  and  at  Lane's  mine,  Monroe  (586),  and  at  the  cobalt- 
mine,  a  black  color. 

CLASS    III. 
ORDER  I.    RESIN. 

Genus  2.    Mineral-Resin. 

Bitumen,  in  dolomite-seams,  contained  in  brown  shale,  occurs  at 
Berlin  (588) ;  and  in  limestone  at  South  Britain,  Southington,  Dur- 
ham and  Middlefield. 

ORDER  II.    COAL. 
Genus  1.    Mineral- Coal. 

Anthracite. — This  species  has  only  been  found  occupying  small 
amygdaloidal  cavities  in  trap,  at  West  Hartford  (311). 


153 


DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE 

OF  THE 

SAMPLES  COLLECTED  FOR  THE  ILLUSTRATION  OF  THE  GEOLOGY 
AND  MINERALOGY  OF  THE  STATE. 


PART  I.     GEOLOGICAL  COLLECTION. 

1  Gneissoid  granite.    Feldspar  reddish  white.    East  Haven. 

2  Gneissoid  granite.    Feldspar  reddish  white.    Partially  decom- 

posed.  East  Haven,  near  the  light-house. 

2b*  Gneissoid  granite.    Feldspar  reddish  white.    Branford,  from 
a  quarry  in  the  high-way. 

3  Granite.    Large  grained.    Feldspar  white.    Huntington,  south 

part  of  the  town. 

4  Granite.    Large  grained.   Albitic.    Texture  loose.    Between 

Bethlehem  and  Watertown,  on  Nonnewog  river. 
4b  Granite.    Large  grained.    Albitic.    Plymouth,  near  Hoadley's 
factory. 

5  Granite.    Large  grained.    Albitic,  (pseudomorphous  granite.) 

Wilton,  Sugar-hollow  turnpike. 

6  Granite.    Large  grained.     Contains  both  feldspar  and  albite, 

(pseudomorphous.)   Watertown,  one  mile  east  of  the  centre. 

7  Granite.  Large  grained.    Albitic,  (pseudomorphous.)   Water- 

town,  western  border. 

7b  Granite.     Large  grained.    Albitic,  (pseudomorphous.)     Ply- 
mouth, Hoadley's  factory. 

8  Granite.    Large  grained.    Contains  feldspar  and  albite.     This 

rock  forms  irregular  veins  and  nests  in  variety  No.  40, 
Greenwich,  U.  S.  quarry. 


*  The  letter  6  refers  to  the  blue  color  of  the  ticket  on  the  specimen.  The  letters 
g,  r  and  yt  are  also  employed  in  this  catalogue  as  abbreviations  for  green,  red  and 
yellow. 

20 


154 

81  Granite.  Large  grained.  Cleavages  of  this  rock  striated  and 
smooth.  It  forms  powerful  veins  in  gneiss.  Middletown, 
JVlaromus. 

9  Granite.  Large  grained.  Albitic,  (pseudomorphous.)  Green- 
wich, southwest  corner. 

96  Granite.  Large  grained.  Albitic,  (pseudomorphous.)  Can- 
ton, near  the  bridge,  on  road  from  New  Hartford. 

10  Granite.    Talcy,  albitic,  (protogine.)     Haddam,  chrysoberyl- 

vein,  near  the  meeting-house. 

1 1  Granite.    Ingredients  feldspar,  quartz,  scapolite,  chabasie  and 

mica.     Stonington,  quarry  near  Paucatuck. 

116  Granite.  Feldspar  purplish  red.  Stonington,  one  mile  from 
termination  of  rail-way. 

12  Granite.   Large  grained.  Albitic.  Contains  apatite.  Plymouth. 

13  Graphic  granite.    Watertown,  associated  with  No.  7. 

136   Granite.    Feldspar  deep  red.   Torrington,  Still  river-turnpike. 

146  Granite.  Feldspar  deep  red.  Large  grained.  Contains  mag- 
netic iron.  Torrington,  three  miles  north  of  Wolcottville. 

156  Granite.  Feldspar  deep  red.  Large  grained.  Stonington,  one 
mile  from  termination  of  rail-way. 

14  Granite.    Ingredients  feldspar  and  quartz.    Resembles  a  pitch- 

stone  porphyry.     Branford,  occurs  near  a  hill  of  trap. 

15  Granite.    Much  traversed  by  quartz-veins  and  druses;   brec- 

ciated  in  some  spots,  as  if  the  seggregation  had  been  inter- 
rupted by  a  mechanical  deposition.  Branford,  occurs  along 
with  14. 

16  Granite.     Quartz  blue.     Has  a  pitchstone-fracture.      North 

Guilford,  Essex  turnpike. 
166  Graphic  granite.    Haddam,  quarry  east  side  of  Conn,  river. 

17  Granite.    Ingredients,  feldspar  and  quartz,  intimately  blended. 

Bethany,  southeast  corner.     Forms  thin  beds  in  argillite. 

18  Granite.   Imperfectly  shistose.     Woodbridge,  Litchfield  turn- 

pike.   Occurs  in  argillite. 

19  Granite.    The  feldspar  predominating.     Woodbridge,  Litch- 

field turnpike. 

20  Granite.    Feldspathic.    Greenwich,  Miannus  river,  forms  veins 

in  gneiss. 

21  Granite.    Feldspathic.    Fine  porphyritic.    Woodbridge,  near 

the  line  of  Bethany. 


155 

22  Granite.  Feldspathic.  Fine  porphyritic.  A  weathered  surface. 

Woodbridge,  near  the  line  of  Bethany. 

23  Granite.   Ingredients,  albite,  feldspar  and  quartz.    Lyme. 

24  Granite.   Fine  grained,  red.   Contains  albite.  North  Stamford, 

near  the  centre. 

25  Gneissoid  granite.    Contains  both  feldspar  and  albite.    New 

Milford,  Candle  mountain. 

26  Gneissoid  granke.  Albitic.  Mansfield,  near  the  line  of  Chaplin. 

27  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Micaceous.    Mansfield,  near  the 

line  of  Chaplin. 

28  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Fine  grained.    Bolton,  forms  nar- 

row veins  in  mica-slate. 

29  Feldspar  granite.   Eurite.    Contains  garnet.    Norwalk,  three 

quarters  of  a  mile  southwest  of  village. 

30  Feldspar  granite.    Red.    Darien. 

31  Feldspar  granite.  Eurite.   Semi-vitrified,  near  junction  of  trap- 

dyke.    Derby. 

32  Feldspar  granite.    Eurite.    Griswold. 

33  Feldspar  granite.    Fine  granular.    Texture  loose.    Canaan, 

highway  near  the  post-office. 

34  Feldspar  granite.    Eurite.    Voluntown. 

35  Feldspar  granite.     Feldspar  stained  by  carbonate  of  copper. 

Bolton. 
356  Quartzy  granite.    Fine  grained,  bluish-gray.    Danbury. 

36  Granite.    Albitic.    Fine  grained.    North  Madison,  near  Col. 

Benton's. 

37  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Cornwall. 

38  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.     Stained    from   decomposition  of 

iron-pyrites.    Warren. 

39  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Weston,  North  Fairfield. 

40  Gneissoid  granite.    Fine  grained.    Greenwich,  U.  S.  quarry. 

41  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Greenwich,  one   mile  northwest 

of  Horse-neck  meeting-house. 

42  Granite.    Contains  both  feldspar  and  albite,  with  occasional 

crystals  of  iron-pyrites.     Texture  close.     Waterford,  Mill- 
stone Point  quarry. 

426   Granite.    Contains  both  feldspar  and  granite.    Fine  grained. 
Stonington,  near  Paucatuck. 


156 

43     Gneissoid  granite.  Albitic.  Finegrained.  Bridgeport,  Thatch- 

ersville. 
436   Granite.     Contains  both  feldspar  and  albite.     Fine  grained, 

bluish  gray.    Portersville,  north  of  bridge. 
446  Granite.    Feldspathic.    Fine  grained,  reddish  white.    Stoning- 

ton,  Upper  Mystic. 
456  Granite.     Feldspathic,  fine  grained  reddish  white.     Exhibits 

junction  of,  with  albitic  gneiss.     Stonington,  Upper  Mystic. 
466   Granite.    Contains  feldspar  and  albite.    Reddish  white.  Mica 

in  part  replaced  by  magnetic  iron.     Stonington,  near  rail- 
way, one  mile  from  its  termination. 
476   Granite.     Feldspathic,  red.     Stonington,  near  rail-way,  one 

mile  from  its  termination. 
486   Granite.    Contains  feldspar  and  albite.    Reddish  gray.    Very 

fine  grained.    Westerly,  R.  I. 
496   Granite.     Contains  feldspar  and   albite.     Includes  crystals  of 

iron-pyrites.     Westerly,  R.  I. 
506   Granite.     Albitic.     White.     Westerly,  R.  I. 
516  Granite.     Albitic.     White.     Plymouth. 
526   Granite.     Albitic.     Grayish  white.     Hebron,  one  mile  south 

of  village. 
536  Gneissoid  granite.     Grayish  white.     Contains  small  crystals 

of  garnet.     Bozrah,  five  miles  from  Norwich  landing. 

44  Gneissoid  granite.    Fine  grained,  nearly  white.  Goshen,  New 

Canada  village. 

45  Granite.     Feldspathic,  red.     Fine  grained.     Contains  albite. 

Groton,  Upper  Mystic. 

46  Granite.    Albitic.     Dark  gray,  contains  garnet.    Derby,  mis- 

pickel-mine. 

47  Gneissoid  granite.     Similar  to  40. 

48  Granite.     Similar  to  46.     Woodstock. 

49  Porphyritic  gneiss.    Veined  with  quartz  and  calcareous  spar. 

Contains  specular  iron,  yellow   copper-pyrites  and   green 
malachite.     Manchester. 

50  Gneissoid    granite.     Albitic,   fine  grained.      Similar    to   43. 

Thompson,  northwest  corner. 

51  Gneissoid  granite.     Porphyritic,  greenish  gray.    Glastenbury, 

Roaring  brook. 


157 

52  Gneissoid  granite.     Porphyritic.     Contains  epidote.     Brook- 

lyn, road  to  Killingly. 

53  Porphyritic  gneiss.     Feldspar  red.    Glastenbury.      Roaring 

brook. 

54  Porphyritic  gneiss.      Feldspar  red.     Killingly. 

546   Porphyritic  gneiss.     Albitic.    Litchfield,  Bradleysville. 

55  Porphyritic  gneiss.     Feldspathic.     Derby. 

556  Porphyritic  gneiss.  Feldspathic.  Large  grained.  Wood- 
stock, eastern  border. 

56  Porphyritic  gneiss.  Feldspathic.    Small  grained.   Woodbury. 
566   Gneissoid   granite.     Albitic.     Haddam,   quarry  east  side  of 

Connecticut  river. 
576   Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Texture  loose.    Waterbury,  two 

miles  north  of  village. 
586   Gneissoid  granite.  Albitic.    Derby,  Steele's  quarry,  east  bank 

of  Housatonic  river. 
596  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic.    Texture  close.    East  Haddam, 

bank  of  Connecticut  river. 
606   Gneissoid   granite.    Hornblendic,  with  epidote.    Thompson, 

one  mile  east  of  village. 

57  Gneissoid  granite.    Albitic,  with  shining  black  mica.    Green- 

wich, Miannus. 

58  Gneiss.    Micaceous.    Greenwich,  northwest  of  Horse-neck. 

59  Gneiss.    Micaceous.    Weathered.    Greenwich,  northwest  of 

Horse-neck. 

60  Granitic  gneiss.    Feldspathic,  sub-porphyritic.    Contains  epi- 

dote.   Glastenbury,  Roaring  brook. 

61  Gneissoid   granite.     Feldspathic,   sub-porphyritic.     Contains 

epidote.    Chatham. 

62  Gneissoid    granite.     Feldspathic,   sub-porphyritic.     Contains 

epidote.    Glastenbury,  Roaring  brook. 

63  Gneissoid   granite.    Feldspathic,  sub-porphyritic.    Eastbury. 

64  Gneissoid   granite.    Similar  to  2.    East  Haven. 

656  Gneissoid  granite.    Feldspathic,  red,  large  grained.     Bethel. 

656  Gneissoid  granite.  Feldspathic,  white,  large  grained.  Con- 
tains epidote.  Thompson,  two  miles  east  of  village. 

666  Gneissoid  granite.  Feldspathic,  red,  large  grained.  Nor- 
wich, two  miles  north  of  landing. 


158 

676  Granitic  gneiss.  Albitic,  Mica,  shining  black.  Contains  iron- 
pyrites.  Madison. 

66  Gneissoid  granite.    Feldspathic,  reddish  white.    Thompson, 

near  New  Boston. 

67  Gneissoid  granite.    Feldspathic,  red.     Stanwich. 

68  Gneissoid  granite.    Contains  feldspar  and  albite.    Mica  white. 

Stanwich. 

69  Gneissoid  granite.    Contains  feldspar  and  albite.    Mica  white. 

Norwich,  near  the  centre. 

696  Gneissoid  granite.  Feldspathic,  reddish;  rnica  in  tortuous  lay- 
ers. Preston,  Capt.  Stoddard's  quarry. 

706  Feldspar  granite  (eurite).  Contains  garnet.  Hampton,  three 
miles  northwest  of  meeting-house. 

70  Gneissoid  granite.  Feldspathic.    Black  mica  in  small  patches. 

Killingly,  North  Society. 

71  Granite.    Albitic.     White,  with  small  patches  of  black  mica. 

Chatham,  Great  hill. 

716                  do.  do.  do.                     do. 

72  Granitic  gneiss.    Albitic.  Shistose.  Somers. 

73  Granitic  gneiss.    Albitic.  Shistose.  Thompson,    near  New 

Boston. 

736  Granitic  gneiss.  Albitic,  with  feldspar;  shistose;  mica  in  broad 
patches.  Thompson. 

74  Plumbaginous  gneiss.    Cornwall. 

75  Granitic  gneiss.     Albitic.     Shistose.     North  Stamford,  High 

ridge. 

756  Gneissoid  granite.  Contains  both  feldspar  and  albite.  Edges 
of  layers  strait.  Thompson,  east  border. 

76  Gneiss.    Micaceous,  pyritiferous.    Union. 

77  Granitic  gneiss.  Albitic.    Micaceous.    Greenwich.    Miannus. 

78  Granitic  gneiss.  Albitic.    Micaceous.    Horse-neck. 

786  Granitic  gneiss.  Albitic.  Micaceous.  Between  Stafford  and 
Union. 

79  Granitic  gneiss.    Albitic.     Micaceous.     Woodbury. 

80  Gneiss.     Contains  garnet.     Warren. 

81  Granitic  gneiss.    Albitic.     Contains  feldspar.     Derby,   west 

side  of  Housatonic  bridge. 

816  Granitic  gneiss.  Albitic.  Texture  loose.  Haddam,  Hig- 
ganum. 


159 


826  Granitic  gneiss.     Albitic.     Middletown,  Maromus. 

82  Granitic  gneiss.     Albitic.     Fairfield,  Burr's  quarry. 

83  Granitic  gneiss.     Albitic.     Cleavages  stained   with  oxide  of 

iron.     Fairfield,  Burr's  quarry. 

84  Granitic  gneiss.     Albitic.     Newtown,  Judson's  quarry. 

85  Granitic  gneiss.     Feldspathic.     Reading,  Top-stone  hill. 

86  do  do  do. 

866   Granitic  gneiss.     Feldspathic.     Reddish  gray.     Stratification 
even.     Plainfield  quarry,  eastern  part  of  town. 

87  Granitic  gneiss.     Albitic.     Mica  black.     Contains  iron-pyri- 

tes, epidote,  sphene  and  garnet.     Preston,  Long  Society. 

88  Granitic  gneiss.     Feldspathic.     North  Stamford,  High  ridge. 
886   Granitic  gneiss.     Feldspathic,  with  garnet  and   black  mica. 

Norwich. 

89  Granitic  gneiss. 
896   Granitic  gneiss. 

west  corner. 
906  do. 

916   Granitic    gneiss 


Albitic.     Mica  white.     Roxbury,  Mine  hill. 
Albitic.     Close  grained.     Lebanon,   north- 


do  do.  do. 

Feldspathic.     Close   grained.      Lebanon, 
northwest  corner. 

926   Granitic  gneiss.    Feldspathic,  with  albite,  close  grained.    Leb- 
anon, northwest  corner. 

90  Gneiss.    Albitic,  thin  and  fissile.    Milford,  Washington  bridge. 

91  Gneiss.     Albitic.     Windham,  Willimantic. 

92  Gneiss.     Albitic,  thin,  talcy.     Newtown,  half  mile  northeast 

of  Judson's  quarry. 

93  Gneiss.     Albitic,  with  garnet.     Bolton,  embraced  in   mica- 

slate. 

946   Gneiss.     Albitic,  with  garnet.     Vernon,  embraced  in  mica- 
slate. 

94  Gneiss.     Quartzy,  fine  grained.     Texture  close.     Windham, 

north  part  of  Scotland. 
946  Gneiss.     Albitic.     Haddam,  Allen-vein. 

95  Gneiss.     Contains  weathered  crystals  of  kyanite  ?  Roxbury. 
956   Gneiss.     Albitic,  with  quartz  in  excess.     Plymouth. 

96  Gneiss.     Pyritiferous,  decomposing.     Kent,  ore-bed. 

966  Gneiss.     Pyritiferous,  decomposing.     Colchester,  S.  W.  cor- 
ner. 


160 

976  Gneiss.     Pyritiferous,  decomposed.  "  Fuller's  earth."   Kent, 

ore-bed. 
986   Gneiss.     Pyritiferous,  decomposed.  "Shell."  Kent,  ore-bed. 

97  Granite.      Feldspathic.      Shows    its    junction    with   gneiss. 

Bridgeport,  Thatchersville. 

98  Granite.      Feldspathic.      Shows    its    junction    with    gneiss. 

Guilford. 

99  Granite.      Feldspathic.      Shows    its  junction    with    gneiss. 

Greenwich,    Miannus. 

100  Granite.     Feldspathic,  with  Iron-Pyrites.     Shows  its  junc- 

tion with  gneiss.     Killingly,  Eastford. 

101  Granite.      Feldspathic.      Shows    its    junction    with    gneiss. 

Greenwich,  W.  of  Horse-neck. 

102  Quartz  seam,  included  in  granitic  gneiss.     Willimanlic. 

103  Granite.     A  tortuous  layer  in  gneiss.     Norwalk,   1  m.  E.  of 

village. 

104  Granite.     A  tortuous  layer  in  mica-slate.     Bolton. 

105  Gneiss.    Stained  with  green  malachite.    Bristol,  copper-mine. 

106  Granite.     Shows  junction  of  large  and  fine-grained  varieties. 

Greenwich,  U.  S.  quarry. 

107  Chlorine  granite.     Black.     Ingredients,  feldspar,   mica  and 

talc.     Danbury,  Bethel. 

108  Chloritic  granite.     Black.     Ingredients,   feldspar,  mica  and 

talc.     Lebanon. 

109  Sienite.     Litchfield,  Mount  Tom. 

110  Hornblende,  rock.     Weston,  near  line  of  Reading. 

111  Sienite.     Litchfield,  west  part  of  town. 

112  Sienite.     Lebanon.  ^ 
1126  Sienite.     Litchfield,  Bradleysville. 

1136  Hornblende  rock.     Compact,    (diabase).     Contains  distinct 
imbedded  crystals  of  hornblende.    Guilford,  from  a  boulder. 

1 14  Porphyry.     Black.     North  Stonington,  near  Lantern  hill. 

115  Sienite    passing    into   compact   trap,   (diabase).      Litchfield, 

Mount  Tom. 

116  Sienite,  or  hornblendic  gneiss.    Ellington,  near  line  of  Somers. 
1166  Porphyritic  sienite.    Bridgewater,  near  the  Housatonic. 

117  Hornblendic  gneiss.     Ellington. 

118  do.  do.  do. 


161 

119  Hornblende-slate.     New  Milford,  falls  of  the  Housatonic. 

120  Hornblende-slate.     Woodbury. 

121  Hornblende-slate,  with  ferruginous  stains.     Woodbury. 

122  Hornblende-slate.     Torringford. 

123  Hornblende-slate.     Contains  acicular  crystals  of  hornblende. 

Torringford. 

124  Gneiss.     Quartzy.     Contains  bucholzite,  white  talc  and  mag- 

netic iron.     Norwich,  falls  of  the  Yantic. 

125  Granitic  gneiss.    Contains  ovoidal  patches  of  garnet.    Reading. 

126  Green  chloritic  granite,  purplish.      North   Stonington,  near 

Lantern-hill. 

127  do.  do,  do.  do. 
1276   Green  chloritic  granite,   purplish.     Stonington   point,  from  a 

diluvial  block. 

128  Hornblende-rock ;     garnetiferous,   with   pyroxene  and  iron- 

pyrites.     Greenfield,  from  a  loose  mass. 

129  Epidotic  gneiss.     Contains  iron-pyrites  and  chlorite.     Plain- 

field. 

130  Hornblendic  rock.    Contains  rounded  grains  of  quartz.    Staf- 

ford. 

131  Hornblendic  rock.  Contains  rounded  grains  of  quartz  ;  weath- 

ered.    Stafford. 

132  Mica-slate.     Greenfield  hill. 

133  Mica-slate.     Contains  garnet.     Saugatuc. 

1336  Mica-slate.     Contains  albite  and   kyanite.      Plymouth,  east 
end  of  village. 

134  Mica-slate.     Contains  garnet.     Franklin,  northwest  corner. 

135  Mica-slate.     Windham,  Scotland. 

1356  Mica-slate.  Killingly,  east  side  of  Flag-stone  hill. 

136  Mica-slate.  Derby,  from  the  side  of  a  trap-dyke. 

137  Mica-slate.  Litchfield,  near  Great  Lake. 

138  Mica-slate.  Contains  imbedded  granules  of  quartz.     Litch- 

field. 

139  Mica-slate.  Litchfield. 

140  Mica-slate.  Light  gray.     Litchfield. 

141  Mica-slate.  Contains  crystals  of  mica  imbedded  obliquely  to 

the  stratification.    Orange,  one  mile  west  of  meeting-house. 
1416  Mica-slate.     Vernon,  flag-stone  quarry. 

21 


162 

142  Mica-slate.     Similar  to  141.     Berlin,   north  of  Wortbington 

village,  from  a  large  boulder. 

143  Mica-slate.     Contains  garnet.     Stafford. 

144  Mica-slate.     Calcareous.     Sharon,  south  of  Indian  Pond. 

145  do.  do.  do. 

J46     Mica-slate.  Stratification  very  undulatory.     Roxbury. 

146y  Mica-slate.  Calcareous.     Vernon. 

147  Mica-slate.  Contains  garnet.     Surface  wavy.     Vernon. 

148  Mica-slate.  Shows  a  double  cleavage.     North  Orange. 
1486  Mica-slate.  Shows  a  double  cleavage.     Surface  wavy  and 

fibrous.    Killingly,  northeast  of  Westfield. 

149  Mica-slate.     Contains  curved,  lenticular  masses  of   quartz. 

Greenfield. 

150  Mica-slate.     Contains  curved,    lenticular  masses  of  quartz. 

Approaches  in  character  to  argillite.     Woodbridge. 

151  Mica-slate.    Plumbaginous.    Approaches  argillite.    Newtown. 

152  Mica-slate.     Plumbaginous.    Approaches  argillite.     Middle- 

town,  lead-mine. 

153  Mica-slate.    Approaches  argillite.    Orange. 

154  Argillite.    Chloritic.   Woodbridge,  Sperry's  mills. 

155  do.  do.  do. 

156  do.  do.  do. 

157  Argillite.    North  Orange. 

158  Argillite.    Shows  a  striated  cleavage.    North  Orange. 

159  Argillite.    Shows  a  striated  cleavage.    Grayish  black.    North 

Orange. 

160  Argillite.    Greenish  gray.    Woodbridge. 

161  Mica-slate.    Woodbridge. 

162  Argillite.    Stratification  thin,  fissile.    Woodbridge. 

163  Argillite.    Approaches  mica-slate.    Orange,  near  the  meeting- 

house. 

164  Argillite.    Much  contorted.    Occurs  with  17.    Bethany. 

165  Flinty  slate.    Occurs  with  21.    Bethany. 

166  Argillite.    Stratification  very  thin.   Woodbridge. 

167  Argillaceous  limestone.   Woodbridge,  Litchfield  turnpike. 

168  Argillaceous  limestone.    Contains  iron-pyrites.    Amity. 

169  Argillaceous  limestone.    Having  cross-seams  filled  with  calca- 

reous spar.    Amity. 


163 


170  Quartzy  mica-slate.    North  Woodstock. 

171  Quartzy  mica-slate.    White.    Stafford. 

172  Quartzy  mica-slate.    White.    Killingly. 

173  do.  do.  do. 

174  Quartzy  mica-slate.    White.    Franklin. 

175  Quartzy  mica-slate.    White.    Voluntown,  in  diluvium. 

176  Quartzy  mica-slate.    White.    Roxbury. 

177  Quartzy  mica-slate.    Brownish  white.     Killingly,   Bolles  and 

Tyler's  quarry. 

178  do.  do.  do. 

179  Quartzy  mica-slate.    Grayish  white.    Killingly,  Chesnut  hill. 
1796   Quartzy  mica-slate.    Greenish  white.    Killingly,  near  Young's 

factory. 

1806   Quartz-rock.    Kent. 
1816  Quartz-rock.    Sharon. 

180  Quartzy  gneiss.    Ferruginous.    Kent,  ore-bed. 

181  Quartzy  mica-slate.    Woodbury,  northwest  part. 

182  Quartzy  mica-slate.    Stafford. 

183  Quartzy  mica-slate.    Epidotic.    Killingly. 

184  Quartzy  mica-slate.    Epidotic.    Killingly,  west  part  of  Ches- 

nut-hill. 

185  Chlorite-slate.    West  Haven. 

186  Chlorite-slate.   Wavy.   West  Haven. 

187  Chlorite-slate.   Dark  green.    West  Haven. 

188  Chlorite-slate.     Contains   iron-pyrites.     West  Haven,   Savin 

rock. 

189  Chlorite-slate.    Light  green.    West  Haven,  Savin  rock. 

190  Chlorite-slate.    Shows  a  thick  seam  of  quartz.    West  Haven. 

191  Chlorite-slate.    Presents  a  distinct  cross-cleavage. 

192  Chlorite-slate.   Ingredients  separate.    West  Haven. 

193  Quartz,  from  a  large  vein  in  chlorite-slate.    Orange,  near  Mil- 

ford,  Lambert's  mine. 

194  Chlorite-slate.    With  cleavages  having  a  red  ferruginous  glaze. 

Milford,  marble-quarry. 

195  Chlorite-slate.    Approaches  talcose  slate.    Milford. 

196  Chlorite-slate.    Approaches  talcose  slate.   Quartzy.    Contains 

magnetic  iron.    Orange. 

197  Chlorite-slate.    Twelve  feet  from  trap-dyke.     New  Haven, 

near  line  of  Woodbridge. 


164 

198  Chloritic  trap.  West  Haven. 

199  Chloritic  trap.  Sub-shistose.   West  Haven. 

200  Chloritic  trap.  Shows  several  cleavages.    West  Haven. 

201  Chloritic  trap.  Porphyritic.    Contains  epidote.    Orange. 

202  Chloritic  trap.  Porphyritic.    Contains  epidote.   West  Haven, 

Allentown. 

203  Chloritic  trap.    Contains  serpentine  and  epidote.     West  Ha- 

ven, Allentown. 

204  Chloritic  trap.    Porphyritic.    West  Haven. 

205  Chloritic  trap.    Orange,  near  Milford  line. 

206  Chloritic  trap.   Very  compact.    West  Haven. 

207  Hornblendic  gneiss.    North  Milford,  western  part. 

208  Chlorite-slate,  altered  by  trap-dyke.   New  Haven,  Humphreys- 

ville  turnpike. 

209  do.  do.  do.  do. 

210  do.  do.  do.  do. 

211  do.  do.  do.  do. 

212  Talcose  slate.    Wilton,  northeast  part  of  town. 

213  Asbestus-rock.    Wilton,  northeast  part  of  town. 

214  Talcose  slate.    Dark  green.    Somers,  soapstone-quarry. 

215  Talcose  slate.    Dark  green.    Bristol,  Bartholomew's  factory. 

216  Talcose  slate.    Hornblendic.    Somers,  soapstone-quarry. 

217  Granular  limestone.     North  Milford,  west  part. 

218  Dolomite.     North  Stonington,  near  line  of  Preston,  Geer's 

lime-kiln. 

219  Granular  limestone.   Bolton,  notch  of  Bolton  mountain. 

220  do.  do.  do. 

2206   Granular  limestone.    Quartzy.    Dark  blue,  veined  with  white. 
Sharon,  Indian  pond.    From  a  boulder. 

221  Dolomite.   Washington,  marble-quarry. 

222  Granular  limestone.     Blue.     Contains  hornblende   and   py- 

roxene.   North  Milford. 

223  Granular  limestone.     Blue.     Contains  hornblende    and  py- 

roxene.   Orange. 

224  Granular  limestone.    Gneissoid.    North  Canaan,  half  a  mile 

west  of  the  meeting  house. 
2246  Granular  limestone.    Passing  into  mica-slate.    Vernon. 

225  Dolomite.   Ridgefield,  northwest  corner. 


165 

226  Dolomite.   Contains  crystals  of  tremolite.   Canaan. 

227  Dolomite.    Contains  pyroxene.    Canaan. 

228  Dolomite.    Contains  boltonite.    Danbury. 

229  Green  marble.    (Ophio-calcite.)    Milford. 

230  Green  marble.    (Verd  antique.)    Milford. 

231  Green  marble.    Milford,  Boardman's  quarry. 

232  Yellow  marble.    New  Haven. 

233  do.  do. 

234  Topaz-rock.     Ingredients,  topaz,  mica,  fluor  and  talc. 

235  Choritic  trap.     Torrington. 

236  Serpentine.     Contains  hornblende  and  magnetic  iron.     Win- 

chester, northeast  corner. 

237  Serpentine.      Contains   hornblende    and   mica.      Greenwich, 

Horse-neck. 
2376   Serpentine.     Litchfield,  east  part. 

239  Sandstone-conglomerate.      Coarse.      North  Guilford,  Quin- 

nipaug  pond. 

240  Sandstone-conglomerate.     Fine,  grayish  white.    North  Bran- 

ford,  northwest  of  village. 

241  Sandstone-conglomerate.     Coarse,  including  a  mass  of  white 

granite.     East  Windsor,  Wapping  quarry. 

242  Marly  sandstone.    Fine  grained,  variegated.    North  Hamden, 

Tallrnan's  mine. 

2426  Marly  sandstone.     Fine  grained.     Contains  nodules  of  lime- 
stone.    Unionville,  quarry  on  Farmington  river. 

243  Sandstone-conglomerate.       Composed    of    distinct    pebbles. 

Chatham  quarry. 
2436   Sandstone-conglomerate.      Contains    fragments   of   chlorile- 

slate.     Hamden,  quarry  at  west  end  of  Mount  Carmel. 
2446   Sandstone-conglomerate.  Contains  argillite.    Hamden,  quarry 

at  west  end  of  Mount  Carmel. 
2456   Sandstone-conglomerate.     Coarse.     East  Haven. 

244  Sandstone-conglomerate.     Fine,  grayish  white.     Granby. 

245  Red  sandstone  (freestone).     Chatham  quarry. 

245y  Red  sandstone.      Fine  grained.     Line  of  Farmington  and 
Bristol. 

246  Sandstone-conglomerate.    Reddish  white,  with  tinge  of  green. 

North  Haven. 


166 

2466   Sandstone-conglomerate.    Reddish  white  and  dull  brick  red 

(bunter  sandstein).     North  Haven. 
246y  Sandstone-conglomerate.       Reddish    white,   having    cavities 

filled  with  green  clay.     North  Haven. 

247  Red  sandstone.     Fine  grained.     Deep  red.     East  Windsor, 

Wapping  quarry. 

248  do.  do.  do.  do. 

249  Red   sandstone.     Fine  grained.      Slaty.      North  Branford, 

west  foot  of  Toket  range. 

250  Variegated  sandstone.     Simsbury,  near  the  meeting-house. 
2506  Red  marl.     Cheshire,  one  mile  west  of  the  meeting-house. 

251  Sandstone-slate.     White.     Woodbridge,  in  blocks  on  eastern 

slope  of  argillite-range. 

252  Sandstone-slate.     Red.     Simsbury,  occurs  with  250. 

253  Sandstone-slate.     Greenish  gray.     Simsbury. 

2536  Copper-slate  (kupferschiefer)  occurs  with  254  and  255.     En- 
field  falls. 

254  Sandstone-slate.     Fine  grained,  banded.     Enfield  falls. 

255  Sandstone-slate.     Fine  grained,  banded.     Enfield  falls. 

256  Sandstone-slate.     Fine  grained.     Hartford,  Rocky  hill. 

257  Sandstone-conglomerate.      Contiguous   to  trap-dyke.      East 

Haven. 
2576  Red  marl-slate.     Wethersfield. 

258  Sandstone-conglomerate.      Contiguous  to  trap-dyke.     Wal- 

lingford,  Hartford  turnpike. 

259  Cupriferous    sandstone-slate.      Contains   vegetable    remains. 

Enfield  falls. 
2596   Sandstone-slate.     Contains  vegetable  remains.     Durham. 

260  Sandstone-conglomerate.  Contiguous  to  trap.    Shows  smooth, 

striated  cleavages.     Branford. 

2606   Sandstone-slate.    Red.    Contains  a  fossil-stem.    Middletown. 
2616   A  fossil  vegetable  stem,  in  sandstone.     Middletown. 
2626   Red  sandstone,  containing  ovoidal,  organic  ?  bodies.     Union- 

ville,  quarry  in  bed  of  Farmington  river. 

262  Sandstone-slate.     North  Guilford. 

263  Sandstone-conglomerate.  Altered  by  trap-dyke.  East  Haven. 
2636  Red  sandstone.     Similar  to  2626.     Unionville. 

264  Sandstone-conglomerate.     Contiguous  to  trap.     Wallingford. 

Northford. 


167 

265  Sandstone-marl,   altered  by  trap.     Wallingford.      Northford. 

266  do.  do. 

267  Sandstone-conglomerate,  altered  by  trap.     Trachytic.     East 

Haven,  northwest  part. 

268  Sandstone-slate,  altered  by  trap.     Hartford,  Rocky  Hill. 

269  do.  do. 

270  Sandstone-porphyry.     North  Branford. 

271  Sandstone-conglomerate.    Cupriferous.    Cheshire,  Gaylord's 

mine. 

272  do.  do.  do. 

273  Clay,  altered  by  trap.  Granby.     Higley  mine. 

274  Sandstone-slate,  marly.     Southington. 
2746  Sandstone-slate,  marly.     Durham. 

275  Sandstone-slate,  marly.     Southington. 

2766   Sandstone-slate.     Thin,  micaceous.     Durham. 

276  Bituminous  marl-slate.     Southington. 

277  Bituminous   slate.      Contains  ichthyolites,    belonging  to  the 

family  of  Lepidoides.     Durham. 
2776  Bituminous  slate.     Wethersfield. 

278  do.  do. 

2786  Bituminous  slate.     Similar  to  277.     Durham. 
2796  do.  do.  do. 

279  Bituminous  slate.     Windsor,  coal-digging,  west  of  Pequonnuc. 

280  Brown  shale.    Berlin,  south  part  of  New  Britain,  Hart's  mills. 

281  Bituminous  limestone.     Southington.     Merriman's  quarry. 

282  Bituminous  shale.     Southington.     Moore's  quarry. 

283  Dendritic  marl.  do.  do. 

284  do.  do.  do. 

285  Septaria.  do.  do. 

286  Clayey  marl.     Durham,  occurs  with  277. 

287  Marly  limestone,  divided  by  veins  of  red  clay.     Southbury, 

South  Britain. 
2876  Aluminous  marl.     Durham. 

288  Compact  limestone  (zechstein).    Southbury,  South  Britain. 

289  Compact  limestone  (zechstein).  Contains  ichthyolites.  South- 

bury,  South  Britain. 

289y  Compact  limestone  (zechstein).  A  new  species  of  fossil-fish. 
Southbury,  South  Britain.  Presented  by  Mr.  TOMLINSON, 
Innkeeper,  of  Brookfield. 


168 

290  Bituminous  limestone.     Slaty.    Southington,  Moore's  quarry. 

291  do.  do.  do.  do. 

292  Bituminous  limestone.     Durham. 

293  Bituminous  limestone.     Southington.     Merriman's  quarry. 

294  Gray  compact  limestone.     Southington.     Moore's  quarry. 

295  Gray  compact  limestone.    Southington,  Moore's  quarry. 

296  Gray  compact  limestone   (zechstein).     Guilford,  northeast  of 

Northfordj  Elliot's  quarry. 

2966   Gray  compact  limestone   (stalagmitic).         do.  do. 

2976   Gray  compact  limestone.    Bituminous.         do.  do. 

297  Marly  clay.    Indurated.    Wallingford,  occurs  with  264,  265, 

266. 

298  Greenstone-trap.    A  trihedral  prism.    North  Branford,  Toket 

range. 

299  Greenstone-trap.    A  tetrahedral  prism.    North  Branford,  To- 

ket range. 

300  Greenstone-trap.     From  a  dyke  several  rods  wide.     North 

Guilford,  Essex  turnpike. 
3006  Greenstone-trap.    From  a  dyke  several  rods  wide.    Haddam, 

Higganum. 

300y  Greenstone-trap.    From  a  boulder.     Hebron,  Andover,  near 
meeting-house. 

301  Greenstone-trap.    From  a  dyke,  cutting  through  chlorite-slate 

(197).    Woodbridge. 

302  Greenstone-trap.   Feldspathic.   Durham,  near  line  of  Guilford. 

303  Greenstone-trap.     Has  a  distinct  cross-cleavage.     Contains 

iron-pyrites.    North  Branford. 

304  Greenstone-trap.    Compact.    Exhibits  line  of  junction  with 

micaceous  gneiss.    Derby. 

305  Greenstone-trap.    Compact.    Exhibits  line  of  junction  with 

gneiss.    Derby. 

3056   Greenstone-trap.    Compact.     Exhibits  line  of  junction  with 
gneiss.    Haddam. 

306  Greenstone-trap.    Contains  black  serpentine,  chlorite  and  lime- 

stone.   East  Haven,  Black  rock. 

3066  Greenstone-trap.     Chloritic3  with  glazed,  striated   surfaces. 
Hartford,  Rocky  hill. 

307  Greenstone-trap.    In  concentric  balls.    Decomposing.    West 

Hartford. 


169 

308  Greenstone-trap.    Contains  agate.   Cheshire,  southeast  corner. 

309  do.  do.  do. 

310  Greenstone-trap.    Brecciated.    East  Haven,  northeast  corner. 

311  Greenstone-trap.    Amygdaloidal.    Contains  anthracite.   West 

Hartford,  with  307. 

312  Greenstone-trap.    Amygdaloidal.    Southbury. 

313  Greenstone-trap.   Veined  with  heliotrope.    Southbury. 

314  Greenstone-trap.   Argillaceous.    North  Branford,  near  line  of 

East  Haven. 

315  Greenstone-trap.   Argillaceous.   Colored  by  green  earth.  Con- 

tains seams  of  white  limestone.     Southbury. 

316  Greenstone-trap.    Argillaceous  and  calcareous.    Southbury. 
3166   Greenstone-trap.    Amygdaloidal,  with  dolomite.    Durham,  two 

miles  south  of  the  meeting-house. 

3176     Greenstone-trap.    Amygdaloidal,  with  dolomite.    Decompos- 
ing.   Durham,  two  miles  south  of  the  meeting-house. 

3186  do.  do.  do.  do. 

317  Greenstone-trap.    Similar  to  314.  Surface  covered  by  arrag- 

onite.    North  Branford. 

318  Greenstone-trap.    Intermingled  with  sandstone,  clay  and  cal- 

careous spar.    Cupriferous.    Simsbury,  Higley  mine. 

319  Greenstone-trap.    Forming  a  breccia  with  marly  clay.    Sims- 

bury,  Higley  mine. 

320  Quartz-vein  in  trap.     Containing  green   and  blue  malachite, 

with  anthracite.     Hartford,  Rocky  hill. 

321  Datholite-vein  in  trap.    Hartford,  Rocky  hill. 

322  Brecciated  quartz.    Cemented  by  limonite.    Kent,  ore-bed. 
3226   Brecciated  quartz.    Kent,  south  part. 

323  Brecciated  quartz.    Thompson,  northeast  jwrt. 

3236  Brecciated  quartz.    Cemented  by  limonite.    Kfnt,  south  part. 

324  Yellow  jasper.    Canaan,  near  New  Canada,  in  diluvium. 

325  Sand.    Fine,  white.    Killingly,  east  of  Eastfield. 

326  Clay.    Southbury. 

327  Bog  iron-ore.    Colchester. 

328  Bog  iron-ore.    Contains  siliceous  sinter.    West  Woodstock. 

329  Ferruginous  conglomerate.    Orange,  in  diluvium. 

330  Siliceous  loam.    Fine.    Hebron,  Andover  parish. 

3306  Clay,  stained  by  phosphate  of  iron.    Manchester,  copper-niine. 

22 


170 

331  Sand.    Fine,  white.    Middlebury.    Quosipaug  pond. 

332  Sand.    Consists  of  quartz,  garnet  and  magnetic  iron.     East 

Haven,  light-house. 

PART  II.     MINERALOGICAL  COLLECTION. 

3336   White  Copperas  ( Vitriol-Salt}.    A  mealy  efflorescence 

on  iron-pyrites  and  magnetic  iron.   Washington,  New  Pres- 
ton. 

333  Cube-ore  (Hexahedral  Malachite-Haloide).     A  green  crust 

on  mispickel.    Derby. 

334  Fluor  (Octahedral  Fluor-Haloide).    Crystallized.   Trumbull. 

335  Fluor.    Massive ;  purple.    Trumbull. 

336  Fluor.    Massive ;  green.    Trumbull. 

337  Fluor.    Massive ;  reddish  white.    Trumbull. 

338  Fluor.    Massive ;  purple.    Variety  chlorophane.   Trumbull. 

339  Fluor.    Massive ;  purple.      In  granite.      East  Haven,  light- 

house. 

340  Apatite  (Rhombohedral  Fluor-Haloide).    In  slender,  greenish 

white  prisms.    North  Stonington,  Paugatuck  quarry. 

340y  Apatite.  In  pale  greenish,  transparent  crystals.  Haddam,  Al- 
len-vein. 

340g-  Apatite.  In  yellowish  green  crystals.  Plymouth,  near  Hoad- 
ley's  factory. 

340r  Apatite.  In  pale  bluish  crystals.  Winsted,  one  mile  east  of 
village.  % 

3406  Apatite.  In  pale  bluish  prisms.  Waterbury  two  miles  north  of 
village. 

341  y  Apatite.    In  pale  bluish  and  reddish  prisms.    Middletown. 
341     Arragonite  (Prismatic  LAme-Haloide).   In  white  crystals,  on 

micaceous  gneiss.   Vernon. 
3416  Arragonite.   An  incrustation  on  sandstone-conglomerate.   East 

Haven. 
3426  Arragonite.     In   small  white  crystals,  occupying  cavities  in 

sandstone-conglomerate.    East  Haven. 
3436  Arragonite.    A  coralloidal  incrustation  on  red  sandstone.    East 

Windsor,  Wapping. 
3446  Arragonite.    In  slender,  transparent  crystals,  on  copper-slate. 

En6eld  falls. 


171 


342  Calcareous  spar  (Rhombohedral  Lime-Haloide).  Large  grain- 

ed.   White.    Derby,  lime-kiln  on  the  Housatonic. 

343  Calcareous  spar.   Large  grained.   Blue.   Derby,  lime-kiln  on 

the  Housatonic. 

344  Calcareous  spar.     White.     North  Guilford. 

345  Calcareous  soar.     White.     Watertown,  Bidwell's  quarry. 

White.     Brookfield,  lead-mine. 

Bluish  White.     Vernon. 

White.     Danbury,  quarter  of  a  mile  west 


Curved  lamellar  ;   variety  argen- 


Calcareous  spar. 
3456  Calcareous  spar. 
3476  Calcareous  spar. 
347y  Calcareous  spar. 

of  meeting-house. 

346  Calcareous  spar.     White. 

tine.     Trumbull. 

347  Calcareous  spar.     White.     From  a  vein  in  trap.     Berlin. 

348  Dolomite   (Macrotypous   Lime-Haloide).      Crystallized  and 

massive.     Ridgefield,  Mead's  lime-kiln. 

Ridgefield,   one   mile   southwest  of 

Kent,  near  Gaylord's  bridge. 
Occurs  with  348. 
Washington,  northeast  part. 
Shistose.    Washington,  Allen's  quarry. 
Brookfield. 

Reading,  Hills'  quarry. 
Fine  grained.      Washington,  Allen's 

In  crystals  and  massive.  Variety  pearl-spar.    Oc- 
curs with  fluor  in  brown  shale.     Berlin. 

355  Dolomite.     Massive.     A   vein   in  sandstone-slate.      Berlin, 

Worthington. 

356  Dolomite.     Massive;  decomposing.    Berlin,  Worthington. 
3566  Dolomite.     Massive.    A  vein  in  gneiss.     Norwich,  two  miles 

north  of  the  landing. 

357  Spathic  iron  (Brachytipous  Parachrose-Baryte).      Massive. 

Light  yellowish  brown.    Roxbury. 

358  Spathic  iron.     Massive.     Dark  reddish  brown.    Roxbury. 

3586  Triplite  (Prismatic  Parachrose-Baryte).  Massive.  Brown- 
ish black.  Coated  occasionally  by  pulverulent  diallogite. 
Washington. 


349     Dolomite. 

Massive 

Mead's. 

3496  Dolomite. 

Massive. 

350     Dolomite. 

Massive. 

3506  Dolomite. 

Massive. 

3516  Dolomite. 

Massive. 

351     Dolomite. 

Massive. 

35  \y  Dolomite. 
353     Dolomite. 

Massive. 
Massive. 

quarry. 
354     Dolomite. 

In  crystal 

172 

358r  Calamine  (Rhombohedral  Zinc-Baryte).  Pulverulent ;  white- 
Associated  with  blende  and  calcareous  spar.  Brookfield, 
lead-mine. 

359  Tungsten  (Pyramidal  Tungstic-Baryte).     Massive.     Imbed- 

ded in  quartz.     Monroe,  Lane's  mine. 

3596  Edwardsite  (Hemi-prismatic  Tungstic-Baryte).  In  small  red- 
dish brown  crystals.  Associated  with  bucholzite  in  granite. 
Norwich,  falls  of  the  Yantic. 

360  Heavy  spar  (Prismatic  Hal-Baryte).     In   crystals  and  mas- 

sive.    Cheshire. 

361  Heavy  spar.     In  crystals  and   massive,  with  vitreous  copper 

and  green  malachite.     Cheshire. 

36 Ib  Pyromorphite  (Pyromorphous  Lead-Baryte).  Pulverulent. 
Yellowish  green.  Brookfield,  lead-mine. 

362  Green  malachite  (Habroneme  Copper-Baryte).     In  fascicular 

aggregations  of  delicate  fibres,  with  quartz  and  heavy  spar. 
Cheshire, 

3626  Green  malachite.  Pulverulent  with  variegated  copper.  Bris- 
tol, copper-mine. 

363  Green  malachite.    Pulverulent  with  vitreous  copper.  Granby, 

Newgate. 

364  Green  malachite.  Pulverulent  in  gneiss.     Bristol. 

365  Green  malachite.  Pulverulent.     Manchester. 

366  Green   malachite.  Pulverulent  on  quartz.     Orange,  Derby 

turnpike. 

367  Green  malachite.     Pulverulent  on  sandstone.     North  Ham- 

den,  Tallman's  mine. 

3676  Uranile  (Pyramidal  Euchlore-Mica).  In  greenish  yellow 
crystals  and  lamina.  Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 

368  Plumbago  (Rhomb ohedral  Graphite- Mica).    In  minute  scales 

in  limestone,  with  sphene  and  pyroxene.     Vernon. 

369  Plumbago.     In  broad  lamina?,  in  quartz.     Cornwall. 

370  Plumbago.     In  columnar  lamina?.     Cornwall. 

371  Plumbago.    In  small  scales;  disseminated  through  quartz  and 

epidote.     Bethany. 

371y  Plumbago.  In  small  scales;  disseminated  though  quartz. 
Danbury. 

372  Talc  (Prismatic  Talc-Mica).     In  minute  bluish  green  scales, 

(variety  nacrite.)     Ridgefield,  Mead's  lime-kiln. 


173 

372y  Talc.     In  minute  green  scales,   (variety  chlorite.)    Norwich. 

373  Talc.     Slaty ;  dark  green.     Somers. 

373y  Talc.     Variety  chlorite,  containing  black  mica.     Litchfield, 
east  part. 

374  Talc.    Talcose  slate,   containing  minute   fibres  of  tremolite. 

Somers. 

375  Talc.     Chlorite.    Newtovvn. 

376  Talc.     In  fine  scales.    While ;  with  topaz.     Trumbull. 
376y  Talc.     Compact ;  greenish  gray,  (French  chalk.)  Bristol. 
3776   Talc.     Compact;    greenish.     Newtown. 

377  Mica  (Rhombohedral  Talc-Mica).     Crystallized.     Implanted 

on  quartz.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 

378  Mica.     In  scales;  white.     In   calcareous  spar.     Watertown. 

379  Mica.     Variety  pinite.     Haddam. 

380  Serpentine  (Prismatic  Atelene-Picrosmine).    Crystals  imbed- 

ded in  dolomite.     Ridgefield,  Mead's  lime-kiln. 

381  Serpentine.    Compact.     Precious  serpentine.     Milford,  mar- 

ble-quarry. 

382  Picrolite    (Fibrous  Jltelene-Picrosmine).      In   strait   parallel 

fibres  ;  green.     Stratford. 

3826   Picrolite.     In  minute  brownish  fibres,  with  serpentine.    New 
Haven,  marble-quarry. 

383  Picrolite.     In  long  silky  fibres  (asbeslus),  associated  with  do- 

lomite.    New  Haven,  marble-quarry. 

385  Kyanite  (Prismatic  Disthene-Spar).    In  crystals  and  massive  ; 

color  blue.     Bolton. 

386  Kyanite.     In  crystals  and   massive  ;  color  blue.     North  Cov- 

entry. 

387  Kyanite.     Massive.     Lilchfield. 
3876  Kyanite.     Massive.     Plymouth. 

388  Kyanite.     Massive.     Color  grayish  white.     Chaplin. 

389  Spodumene  (Prismatoidal  Disthene-Spar).    In  small  lamina?, 

disseminated  through  granite.    Brookfield. 

390  Datholite  {Prismatic  Dystome-Spar).     Crystallized,  in  trap. 

Southington. 

391  Datholite.     Massive  ;  a  vein  in  trap.     Hartford,  Rocky  hill. 

392  do.  do.  do. 

393  Datholite.  Crystallized  and  fibrous  (botryolite).    Southington. 


174 

394  Datholite.     Massive.    Southington. 

395  Prehnite  (Jlxotomous  Kouphone-Spar).     Fibrous,  in  reniform 

shapes.     Woodbury. 

396  Prehnile.     In  crystals,  on  chlorite-slate  altered  by  trap.    New 

Haven. 
3966  Laumonite   (Diatomous  Kouphone-Spar).     Crystallized   and 

massive.     Litchfield,  Bradleysville. 
3976  Mesolype  (Prismatic  Kouphone-Spar).    In  compact  radiating 

fibres.     Hadlyrne. 

398  Analcime  (Hexahedral  Kouphone-Spar}.    In  crystals,  on  trap. 

East  Haven. 

399  Chabasie  (Rhombohedral  Kouphone-Spar).     In  crystals  and 

massive  ;  color  wax-yellow.     North  Stonington,  near  Pau- 
gatuck. 
3996   Chabasie.     In  crystals  and   massive,  with  stilbite.    Hadlyme. 

400  Stilbite  (Prismatoidal  Kouphone-Spar).     In   crystals.     East 

Haven. 

401  Stilbite.     In  crystals.     Bridgeport,  Thatchersville. 

4016  Heulandite  (Hemi-prismatic  Kouphone-Spar).  In  crystals, 
with  stilbite,  epidote,  scapolite  and  garnet.  Hadlyme. 

4026  Feldspar  (Orthotomous  Feldspar).  A  large  four-sided  prism 
with  rounded  extremities.  Litchfield,  Bradleysville. 

402  Feldspar.     In  small  white  crystals.     Canterbury. 

403y  Feldspar.  Massive  ;  white ;  in  a  certain  light,  chatoyant. 
Woodstock,  Muddy  brook. 

403  Feldspar.     Massive  ;  flesh-red.     Greenwich,  U.  S.  quarry. 
4036   Feldspar.     Massive ;  gray.     Altered    by  contact  with  trap. 

Haddam,  Higganum. 

404  Feldspar.     Massive ;  flesh-red.     Bridgeport,  Thatchersville. 
4046  Feldspar.     Massive;  flesh-red.    Chatoyant  (adularid).    Nor- 
wich, Falls  of  Yantic. 

4056  Feldspar.  Massive  ;  yellowish  gray.  Reading,  near  line  of 
Danbury. 

405  Feldspar.     Massive;  deep  red.     New  Canaan,  near  meeting- 

house. 

4066  Feldspar.  Massive ;  purplish  gray.  With  chlorite.  North 
Stonington. 


175 

406  Feldspar.     Massive ;  flesh-red.     Exhibits  in  a  certain  light 

the  properties  of  the  sun-stone.     Lyme. 

407  Feldspar.     Massive ;  penetrated  by  irregular  prisms  of  quartz. 

Lyme. 

408  Feldspar.    Massive;  white.    In  large  individuals.    Greenwich. 

409  Feldspar.      Massive  ;    bluish-white.      In   large    individuals. 

Greenwich,  southwest  of  Horse-neck  village. 

4106   Feldspar.     Massive;  yellowish  white.     In  large  individuals. 
Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 

411  Feldspar.     Massive;    yellowish  white.      Intimately  blended 

with  albite.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 

412  Feldspar.     Massive  ;  reddish  white.    Intimately  blended  with 

albite.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 

413  Feldspar.     Massive;  greenish  white.     Stained  by  carbonate 

of  copper.     Bolton. 

415  Feldspar.     Massive;  bluish  white ;  fetid.     Brookfield. 
4166   Feldspar.     Massive ;    bluish  white ;    fetid.      Danbury,  near 

Col.  White's  factory. 

416  Feldspar.      Massive ;    white.      New  Milford,  Candle-wood 

mountain. 

417  Feldspar.     Massive  ;    white,    with     albite.      New   Milford, 

Candle-wood  mountain. 

418  Feldspar.     Massive;    white,    with   albite;    partially  decom- 

posed.    New  Milford,  Candle-wood  mountain. 

419  Feldspar.     Massive;    white,    with     albite;    wholly    decom- 

posed   (kaolin).     New  Milford,  Candle-wood  mountain. 

420  do.  do.  do. 

421  do.  do.  do. 

422  Feldspar.     Yellowish  white,  mingled  with  mica  ;  partially  de- 

composed.    New  Milford. 

423  Feldspar.     Yellowish  white,  ferruginous.    Sherman,  near  line 

of  New  Milford. 

4236  Feldspar.     Snow-white  (kaolin.)     Kent. 
4246  Feldspar.     Decomposed  ;  with  decomposed   mica  and  talc. 

Greenwich,  Horse-neck. 

424  Albite  (Tetarto-prismatic  Feldspar).     Crystallized  in  cavities 

and  veins  in  feldspar.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 
Albite.    Crystallized  and  massive ;    white.     Cornwall,  north 
part  of  town. 


176 


4246  Albite.     Massive ;  bluish  white.     Haddam,  Allen-vein. 

425  Albite.     Massive ;  white.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 

426  Albite.    Massive  ;  granular.    Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 
4266   Albite.     Massive  ;  greenish  white.     Haddam. 

426y  Albite.     Massive  ;  bluish  gray  (adularia).     Thompson. 
426r  Albite.     Massive  ;  bluish  gray  (adularia).     Chaplin. 
4276  Albite.     Massive;  bluish  gray  (adularia).     Union. 

427  Albite.     Massive  ;  snow-white.     Plymouth. 

428  Albite.     Yellowish  white,  fine  granular,  with  garnet.  Monroe. 

432  Scapolite    (Pyramidal    Petaline-Spar).      Massive ;     white. 

Trumbull. 
4326   Scapolite.     Massive ;  white.     Canterbury. 

433  Scapolite.     Massive ;  bluish  gray.     Bolton. 

434  Scapolite.     Massive  ;  white  and  reddish  white,  decomposing. 

Stonington,  near  Paugatuck. 

435  Scapolite.     Massive  ;  white  ;  in  small  individuals.     Stoning- 

ton, near  Paugatuck. 

436  Epidote    (Prismatoidal  Jlugite-Spar).      In    slender    brown 

crystals  in  calcareous  spar.     Monroe. 

437  Epidote.     Massive ;  yellowish  brown.     In   hornblende-slate. 

Woodbury. 
4376  Epidote.    In  minute  crystals  ;  pistachio-green.    Hadlyme. 

438  Epidote.      Crystallized    and    massive ;    pearl-gray    (zoisite). 

Monroe. 

4386   Epidote.    Fine,  granular ;  pistachio-green  (scorza).    Haddam, 
Higganum. 

439  Epidote.    Massive  ;  dark  green,  with  talc.    Bristol. 

440  Epidote.    Massive ;  pistachio-green.    Killingly. 

441  Epidote.    In  slender,  grayish  white  crystals  (zoisite).   Vernon. 

442  Pyroxene  (Paratomous  £ugite-Spar).    Crystallized ;  green, 
v    Imbedded  in  bluish  calcareous  spar.   Trumbull. 

4426  Pyroxene.    Massive ;  white  (sahlite).    Watertown,  near  Ply- 
mouth. 

443  Pyroxene. 

quarry. 
4436  Pyroxene. 


Massive;  green  (sahlite).    New  Haven,  marble- 


444 


Massive  ;  greenish  brown  (sahlite).    With  garnet. 
Stafford,  line  of  Union. 
Pyroxene.    Massive  ;  white  (sahlite).    Canaan. 


177 

4446  Pyroxene.    Massive ;  greenish  gray,  with  hornblende.   Plain- 
field. 

445  Pyroxene.    Massive ;  greenish  while.   Vernon. 

4456  Pyroxene.    Massive ;  dark  green.    Sharon,  Buck's  mountain. 
445y  Pyroxene.    Massive ;  fine  granular  (coccolite).    Reading,  near 

line  of  Danbury. 

445r  Pyroxene.  Massive ;  bluish  white.  Canaan,  N.  of  Canaan  falls. 
445g-  Pyroxene.   Massive ;  bluish  white.    North  Canaan. 

446  Hornblende  (Hemi-prismaticAugite-Spar).    In  slender,  gray- 

ish white  prisms  (tremolite),  imbedded  in  dolomite.   Wash- 
ington, marble-quarry. 

447  Hornblende.    Massive ;  white,  fibrous  (tremolite).    With  py- 

roxene in  dolomite.    Canaan. 

448  Hornblende.    In  yellowish  white  prisms  (tremolite).   With  py- 

roxene.   Canaan. 

4486  Hornblende.    In  grayish  white  prisms,  and  in  plumose  fibres 
(tremolite).     Washington. 

449  Hornblende.    In  long,  flattened,  black  crystals.   Torrington. 
4506  Hornblende.     In   small  greenish  white  grains,  in  dolomite. 

Stanvvich. 

450  Hornblende.    Massive  ;  black  ;  in  large  individuals.    Danbury. 

451  Hornblende.    Massive;  black;  in  large  individuals.    Associ- 

ated with  pyroxene.    Danbury. 

452  do.  do.  do.  do. 
4526  Hornblende.    Massive ;  brown  ;  granular.    Danbury. 

453  Hornblende.  Massive;  radiating;  black.   Torrington. 

454  Hornblende.  Massive ;  black.    Preston. 

455  Hornblende.  Massive  ;  greenish  black.    Somers. 

456  Hornblende.  In  acicular  crystals.    Torrington. 

457  Hornblende.  Massive  ;  black  (hypersthene).    Litchfield. 

458  Hornblende.  In  slender,  brownish  crystals  (anthophyllite). 

Guilford.  \ 

459  Hornblende.    In  slender,  white  crystals  (tremolite);  in  talc. 

Somers,  soapstone-quarry. 

460  Hornblende.    Massive ;  grayish  black.    Contains  iron-pyrites. 

Litchfield. 

461  Hornblende.    Massive;  in  radiating,  silky  fibres  (asbestiform 

tremolite).    Greenwich. 

23 


178 

462  Hornblende.    Massive  ;  in  radiating  silky  fibres.    Winchester. 

463  Hornblende.    Massive ;  greenish  white.   In  dolomite.    Ridge- 

field. 

464  Hornblende.  .Massive  ;  greenish  white.    Stanwich. 

465  Hornblende.    Massive  (asbestiform  tremolite).   Litchfield. 

466  Hornblende.     Massive  ;  in  gray,  silky,  parallel  fibres.     Win- 

chester. 

4666  Hornblende.  Massive ;  in  white,  silky,  parallel  fibres  (paper- 

asbestus).  Washington. 

467  Hornblende.  In  closely  interwoven,  silky  fibres  (paper-asbes- 

tus).    Attached  to  dolomite.    Washington,  marble-quarry. 

468  do.  do.  do.  do. 

469  Tabular  spar  (Tetarto-prismatic  Tabular- Spar).     Massive; 

white.    In  quartz  and  calcareous  spar.    Brookfield. 

470  Boltonite  (Parachrose   Tabular- Spar).     Massive  ;  yellowish 

green,  with  talc  in  dolomite.    Ridgefield. 

471  Boltonite.    Massive  ;  yellow  and  yellowish  green.   Danbury. 
4716   Boltonite.    Massive.    Reading,  Hill's  quarry. 

471y  Automolite  (Octahedral  Corundum).    Massive;  dark  green, 
with  garnet  in  granite.    Haddam. 

472  Corundum    (Rhombohedral    Corundum).      Massive ;   bluish 

white.     In  kyanite.     Litchfield. 

4726   Corundum.    In  minute  crystals.    Color  sapphire-blue.    In  bu- 
cholzite.    Norwich,  falls  of  the  Yantic. 

473  Topaz  (Prismatic    Topaz).      In   small  transparent  crystals. 

Trumbull. 

474  Topaz.    Fragment  of  a  large  white  crystal.    Trumbull. 

475  Topaz.    Crystallized.     Color  green.    Trumbull. 

476  Beryl.    (Rhombohedral  Emerald).  Small  loose  crystals.  Mon- 

roe. 

477  Beryl.  Small  sea-gigen  crystals  in  granite.    Haddam. 

478  Beryl.  Greenish  white  crystals  in  granite.    Monroe. 

479  Beryl.  Green  crystals  in  large  grained,  red  granite.    Glasten- 

bury,  Roaring  brook. 

4796  Beryl.    Massive  ;  yellowish  green.    Middletown,  china-stone 
quarry. 

480  Chrysoberyl  (Pyramidal  Emerald).    In  yellowish  green  crys- 

tals and  massive ;  with  yellow  beryl  and  garnet.    Haddarn. 


179 

481  lolite  (Prismatic  Quartz).    Massive  ;  deep  blue.    Haddam. 

482  lolite.     Massive ;   pale  blue,  with   anthophyllite  and   quartz. 

Haddam. 
4826   lolite.    Massive  ;  deep  blue,  with  garnet  in  quartz.    Norwich, 

two  miles  north  of  landing. 
Quartz  (Rhombohedral  Quartz).    In  small  prismatic  crystals  ; 

loose.    Haddam. 

Quartz.    In  minute  crystals,  imbedded  in  zechstein.    Guilford. 
Quartz.     Portion  of  a  large  crystal.    Contains  crystals  of  do- 
lomite.   Ridgefield. 

Quartz.     Massive ;  purple  (amethyst),  in  trap.     Southbury. 
Quartz.    In  minute  crystals,  forming  druses  through  ferrugi- 
nous breccia.    Kent. 
Quartz.      Massive ;    white  (common  quartz).     Woodbridge, 

near  Clark's  tavern. 
Quartz.    Massive  ;  white  (milky  quartz).    Roxbury. 

Massive  ;  white  (common  quartz).    New  Hartford. 
Bluish.    North  Guilford,  Essex  turnpike. 
4926  Quartz.     Massive  ;  in  large  columnar  individuals.    Color  pale 

purple.     Canton,  Whortleberry-hill. 
492     Quartz.     Massive;  (rose-quartz.)     Middletown,  china-stone 

quarry. 
Quartz.    Massive ;  large  columnar  individuals.  White.    Long 

hill,  between  Groton  and  Stonington. 
Quartz.    Massive ;  pseudomorphous.    Prospect,  near  Straits- 


483 

484 
485 

486 

487 

488 

489 
490 
491 


Quartz. 
Quartz. 


4926 


493 


ville. 

4936  Quartz.  Massive ;  drusy.     Canton,  Whortleberry-hill. 

494  Quartz.  Massive ;  cellular.     Prospect,  near  Straitsville. 
4946  Quartz.  Massive ;  cellular  and  drusy.     Kent. 

4956  Quartz.  Massive;  ferruginous,  (iron-flint.)    Kent. 

495  Quartz.  Agate.     West  Hartford. 

496  do.  do.  do. 

497  Quartz.  Agate ;  calcedonic.     West  Hartford. 

498  Quartz.  Agate  ;  jaspery ;  in  trap.    Cheshire. 

499  Quartz.  Agate ;  jaspery  -,  decomposing.    Cheshire. 

500  Quartz.  Agate ;  jaspery ;  decomposing.     Berlin. 

501  Quartz.  Heliotrope ;  a  vein  in  trap.     Southbury. 


180 

502  Quartz.     Jaspery ;    yellowish  gray.     New  Milford,  Candle- 

wood  pit. 

503  do.  do.  do.  do. 

504  Quartz.     Calcedonic,  with  opal.     Botryoidal.     Cornwall. 
504r  Quartz.     Calcedonic,  with   opal.     Contains  patches  of  red 

calcedony  or  carnelian.    Torringford,  in  diluvium. 
5Q4y  Quartz.     Calcedonic.     Carnelian.     Torringford. 

505  Opal  (Undeavable  Quartz).     A  botryoidal  coating   (hyalite) 

on  granite.     Haddarn,  Allen-vein. 

506  Opal.     A  botryoidal  coating  (hyalite)  on  trap.    Southbury. 

507  Opal.     A  botryoidal  coating  on  cellular  quartz.     Hartford, 

Rocky  Hill. 

508  Opal.     A  botryoidal  coating  on  sandstone.     Hamden. 

509  Bucholzite   (Prismatoidal  Axinite).     In  distinct,   hair-brown 

crystals  (sillimanite).     Chester. 

510  Bucholzite.     In  long  parallel  fibres.    Norwich,  falls  of  Yantic. 
5106  Bucholzite.    In  long  parallel  fibres ;   much  interlaced.    Nor- 
wich, falls  of  Yantic. 

5116  Bucholzite?  In  long  parallel  fibres.     Stafford,  near  line  of 
Union. 

511  Bucholzite.  In  delicate  fibres  coated  with  talc.     Haddam. 

512  Bucholzite.  In    delicate    fibres  coated   with  talc.      Groton, 

near  Upper  Mystic. 

51$     Tourmaline  (Rhombohedral  Tourmaline).     A  large  brownish 
black  crystal ;  perfect  in  form.     Monroe. 

514  Tourmaline.     Several  brownish  black  crystals,  imbedded  in 

mica.     Monroe. 

515  Tourmaline.  Brownish  black  crystals,  loose.  Monroe. 

516  Tourmaline.    Brownish  black  crystals,  loose,  (regular  at  one 

extremity.)     Haddam. 

517  Tourmaline.     Regular  crystals  of  black  tourmaline  ;  in  albitic 

granite.     Haddam. 

5186  Tourmaline.  Small  black  tourmalines  in  quarlzy  mica-slate. 
Stafford. 

518  Tourmaline.  Small  black  tourmalines  in  quartz.    Litchfield. 
5186  Tourmaline.  In  long  slender,  black  crystals.     Haddam.  Al- 
len-vein. 

519  Tourmaline.  In  brownish  black  fibres.     Somers. 


181 

5196  Tourmaline.     Massive;  black.     Washington. 
519y  Idocrase  (Pyramidal  Tourmaline).     In  minute  reddish  brown 
grains,  with  mica  in  dolomite.     Washington. 

520  Garnet   (Dodecahedral   Garnet).      In  large  brownish  black, 

dodecahedral  crystals,  imbedded  in  quartz.     Lyme. 
52(ty  Garnet.     Trapezohedrons ;  red.     Loose  crystals.    Reading. 

521  Garnet.    Dodecahedrons ;  small.     In  mica-slate.     Salisbury. 
5216   Garnet.  Massive;    brownish  red.    Plymouth,  near  Hoadley's 

factory. 
5226  Garnet.     Massive  ;    brownish  red.      Reading,  near  line  of 

Danbury. 
5236  Garnet.  Massive  and  crystallized,  (cinnamon-stone.)  Danbury. 

522  Garnet.     In  small  blood-red  crystals  in  mica-slate.     Stafford, 

523  Garnet.     In  small,  pale  yellow  crystals,   in  chlorite-slate,  al- 

tered by  trap.     New  Haven. 

524  Garnet.  In  small  transparent  red  crystals,  in  granite.  Guilford. 
5246  Garnet.    In  small  reddish  brown  crystals  with  hornblende  and 

pyroxene,  in  gneiss.     Haddam,  Allen-vein. 

525  Garnet.     In  very  minute,  red,  transparent  crystals,  in  eurite. 

Norwalk. 

5256   Garnet.     Large  reddish  brown  garnets,   coated  by  chlorite. 
Canterbury. 

526  Garnet.     In  small   blood-red  crystals  and  grains,   (pyrope.) 

Norwich. 

5266  Garnet.    In  red  semi-transparent  crystals,  with  rounded  edges. 
In  granitic  gneiss.     Guilford. 

527  Garnet.    Massive;  fine  granular,  with  quartz.  North  Madison. 
5276   Garnet.    In  reddish   white  and  pink  crystals,  with  rounded 

edges.     Stafford. 

5286  Garnet.      In    blood-red    crystals   and    grains,   in   mica-slate. 
Vernon. 

528  Garnet.    Garnet-sand.    Waterford,  Millstone  point. 

529  Garnet.    Garnet-sand.    East  Haven,  Light-house. 

5296   Garnet.    Pyrope,   with  minute  crystals  of  kyanite.    Thomp- 
son, near  line  of  Woodstock. 

530  Zircon  (Pyramidal  Garnet).    In  minute  grayish  brown   crys- 

tals, with  beryl,  chrysoberyl  and  garnet.    Haddam. 
5306   Staurotide  (Prismatoidal  Garnet).    In  brownish  black  crys- 
tals with  garnet.     In  mica-slate.    Salisbury. 


182 

5316  Staurotide.  In  brownish  black  crystals  with  garnet.  In  talcose 
mica-slate.  Salisbury. 

533  Staurotide.     Long  black  crystals.    Stafford. 

534  Staurotide.     Large  brown  crystals.     Bolton. 

5346  Allanite  (Telarto-Prismatic  Melane-Ore).  In  blackish  crys- 
tals. North  Killingworth. 

535  Sphene  (Prismatic  Euruthrone-Ore).    In  brown  crystals,  with 

pyroxene  and  feldspar.     Canaan. 

536  Sphene.     In   small   brown  crystals,  in   blackish  green  horn- 

blende.    Bridgeport,  Thatchersville. 

537  Rutile   (Peritomous   Eruthrone-Ore).      In  rounded    grains; 

found  in  mica-slate.     Monroe. 

5376  Rutile.  Massive ;  in  blue  dolomite.  New  Milford,  northwest 
corner. 

537y  Magnetic  iron  (Octahedral  Iron-Ore).  An  octahedral  crys- 
tal. Haddam. 

538  Magnetic  iron.    In  small  octahedral  crystals  and  grains.    North 

Madison. 
5386  Magnetic  iron.     Massive.     Sharon. 

539  Magnetic  iron.     Massive.     North  Madison. 

5396  Magnetic  iron.  Massive.  In  small  grains  in  talcose  mica-slate. 
Mount  Riga. 

540  Magnetic  iron-sand.     Eastern  extremity  of  sea-shore  in  Con- 

necticut. 

5406  Magnetic  iron.  In  octahedral  crystals  and  grains,  imbedded 
in  granite.  Stonington  Point. 

541  Magnetic  iron.    In  octahedral  crystals  and  grains,  with  sphene 

and  pyroxene,  in  granitic  gneiss.     New  London. 
5416  Magnetic  iron.   Massive,  in  granite.   Hadlyme,  Selden's  point. 

542  Magnetic  iron.    Massive.  Winchester. 

5426  Magnetic  iron.    Massive.    Washington,  Brown's  mountain. 

543  Magnetic  iron.    Massive ;    fine  granular.     Newtown. 

5436  Magnetic  iron.  Massive;  compact;  with  bucholzite.  Nor- 
wich, one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  the  landing. 

544  Magnetic  iron.     Massive  ;  fine  granular.     Reading. 

5446  Crichtonite  (Jlxotomous  Iron-Ore).  Massive;  laminated. 
In  quartz.  Southbury,  in  diluvium. 

545  Specular  iron  (Rhombohedral  Iron-Ore).     Massive  ;  in  stel- 

lularly  arranged  folia3.     Killingly. 


183 

546  Specular  iron.     Massive;  in  thin  veins.  Manchester,  copper- 

mine. 

547  Limonite.    (Prismatic  Iron-Ore}.     Massive.      In   stalactitic 

shapes,  (brown  hematite.)    Salisbury,  Ore-hill. 

548  Limonite.     Massive.     Mammillary,  (brown  hematite).     Sal- 

isbury, Ore-hill. 

5486  Limonite.     Massive.     Compact,    (brown   hematite).      Kent, 
Ore-hill. 

549  Limonite.     Massive.      Mammillary ;  iridescent.    Sharon,  In- 

dian ore-bed. 

5496  Limonite.     Massive.  Cellular  and  ochraceous.     Salisbury, 
Davis'  ore-bed. 

550  Limonite.     Massive.  Mammillary ;  tarnished.     Kent. 
5506  Limonite.     Massive.  Compact.     Salisbury,  Scovil's  bed. 
5516   Limonite.    Massive.  Disseminated  through  mica-slate.    Sal- 
isbury, Davis'  ore-bed. 

551  Limonite.     Massive.  Mammillary;      iridescent.       Sharon, 

Indian  ore-bed. 

552  Limonite.     Massive.     Mammillary  and  compact.     Salisbury, 

Chapman's  ore-bed. 

553  Limonite.     Massive  ;  cellular,  earthy  and  fibrous.    Salisbury, 

ore-hill. 
5536   Limonite.     Massive.     Bog  iron-ore.     Thompson. 

554  Limonite.     Massive.     Bog  iron-ore.     Colchester. 

5546  Limonite.    Massive.  Bog  iron-ore.    A  thin  coating  on  quartz. 
Trumbull. 

555  Limonite.     Massive.  Bog  iron-ore.     Thompson. 

556  Limonite.     Massive.  Bog  iron-ore ;  contains  siliceous  sinter. 

Woodstock. 

557  Wolfram    (Prismatic   Baryte-Ore).      Massive.     In    quartz. 

Monroe. 

558  Columbite  (Pyramidal  Baryte-Ore).     In  small  crystals  and 

massive,  in  granite.     Haddam. 

559  Columbite.    Fragment  of  a  large  crystal.    Middletown,  china- 

stone  quarry. 

560  Pitchblende  (Unckavable  Baryte-Ore).    Massive.     In  pseu- 

domorphous  crystals.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 


184 

561  Tungstic  Ochre  (Tungstic  Lusine-Ore).     Pulverulent,  yel- 

low ;  disseminated  through  Tungsten.     Monroe. 

562  Yellow  uranium-ochre  (Uranic   Lusine-Ore).     Pulverulent, 

straw  yellow.     Middletown,  china-stone  quarry. 
5626   Melaconite,  (Cupric  Lusine-Ore).     Pulverulent,  black,  with 
hydrated  oxide  of  iron.     Bristol,  copper-mine. 

563  Native   Bismuth  (Bismuth  Malacone-Metal).      Massive,   in 

quartz.     Monroe. 

564  Copper-Nickel  (Cupreous  Eruthleucone-Py  rites}.     Massive; 

color  copper-red  ;  with  smaltine.     Chatham,  cobalt-mine. 

565  Mispickel    (Prismatic    Eruthleucone- Pyrites).       Crystallized 

and  massive  ;  with  iron-pyrites  and  galena.     Monroe. 
5656   Mispickel,  with  blende  and  galena.     Bethany. 

566  Mispickel.     Massive.     Derby. 

5666  Mispickel.     Massive.     Oxford,  Quaker's  farm. 

567  Smaltine  (Octahedral  Eruthleucone-Pyrites).     Massive;  with 

galena  and  copper-nickel.     Chatham,  cobalt-mine. 

568  Iron-Pyrites   (Hexahedral  Chlor one- Pyrites).     Crystallized  ; 

in  quartz.     Newtown. 

569  Iron-Pyrites.     Massive  ;  in  granite  with  epidote.    Bridgeport, 

Thatchersville. 

570  Iron-Pyrites.     Crystallized  and  massive.     Orange. 

571  Iron-Pyrites.     Crystallized  in  quartzy  mica-slate.     Stafford. 
5716  Iron-Pyrites.     Massive  ;  in  dolomite.     Brookfield. 

572  Yellow  Copper-Pyrites  (Pyramidal  Chlor  one-Pyrites).    Mas- 

sive ;  with  galena  and  magnetic  iron-pyrites.     Trumbull. 
5726  Yellow    Copper-Pyrites.      Massive  ;    disseminated    through 
mica-slate.     Bristol,  copper-mine. 

573  Yellow  Copper-Pyrites.     Massive  ;  in   sienite,  with  magnetic 

iron-pyrites.     Litchfield. 

573r  Yellow  Copper-Pyrites.  Massive ;  in  quartz.  Southbury, 
South  Britain. 

574y  Yellow  Copper-Pyrites.  Massive;  in  quartz.  Orange,  south- 
west part,  near  Milford. 

574  Magnetic    Iron-Pyrites      (Rhombohedral    Bronze -Pyrites). 

Massive  ;  laminated.     Trumbull. 
5746  Magnetic  Iron-Pyrites.     Massive  ;  in  mica-slate.     Salisbury. 


185 

575  Magnetic  Iron-Pyrites.     Massive;    with  iron-pyrites.     New 

Fairfield. 

5756  Magnetic  Iron-Pyrites.     Massive ;  with  iron-pyrites  ;  decom- 
posing.    North  Madison. 

576  Magnetic  Iron-Pyrites.     Massive.     Brookfield. 

577  Variegated  Copper  (Octahedral  Bronze-Pyrites).     Massive; 

with  green  malachite.     Hartford,  Rocky  Hill. 

5776  Variegated  Copper.     Massive  ;  with  green  malachite  in  gran- 
ite.    Bristol,  copper-mine. 

578r  Variegated  Copper  ;  in  granite.     Bristol,  copper-mine. 

577  Variegated  Copper.     Massive,  in  granite.     Bristol,  copper- 

mine. 

578  Vitreous  Copper     (Prismatic     Copper- Glance).       Massive. 

Cheshire,  Gaylord's  mine. 

5786  Vitreous  Copper.    Crystallized  and  massive.    Cheshire,  Gay- 
lord's  mine. 

579  Vitreous  Copper.     Massive ;   in  sandstone.     Granby,  New- 

gate. 

580  Galena  (Hexahedral  Polypoione- Glance.)    Massive.     Brook- 

field. 

581  Galena.  Massive.  Berlin. 
5816  Galena.  Massive.  Plymouth. 

582  Galena.  Massive.  Middletown. 

583  Galena.  Massive.  Wilton. 

587  Molybdenite  (Rhombohedral  Polypoione- Glance).    In  scales, 

disseminated  through  quartz.     Essex. 

584  Blende  (Dodecahedral  Scler one- Blende).    Massive.     Brook- 

field,  lead-mine. 

5846  Blende.     Massive  ;  in  dolomite.     Brookfield,  lead-mine. 

585  Blende.     Massive.  Chatham,  cobalt-mine. 
585y  Blende.     Massive  ;  with  spathic-iron.     Roxbury. 

586  Blende.     Massive.  Monroe. 

588  Bitumen  (Black  Mineral-Resin).    Compact.    With  dolomite 

in  brown  shale.     Berlin. 

APPENDIX  TO  THE  CATALOGUE. 

589  *  *  *  *.     Massive,  white  ;  in  quartz.    New  Milford,  Candle- 

wood  mountain. 

24 


186 

590  Yttro-tantalite.     In   flesh-red   feldspar.      Glastenbury,  Roar- 

ing Brook. 

591  *  *  *  *.     On  trap.     Woodbury. 

592  Cadmia.     Iron-furnace,  Salisbury. 

593  Electric  Calamine.     Iron-furnace,  Salisbury. 

5946  Laumonite  ?  in  quartz.     Wood  bridge,   Humphreysville   turn- 
pike. 
5956  do.  do.  do.  do. 


187 


INDEX. 


A. 

Agates,  65. 

Agriculture,  materials  for,  112. 

Albite,  132. 

Alcaline  salts,  71. 

Allanite,  144. 

Alum,  118. 

Alum-slate,  71. 

Analcime,  129. 

Andalusite,  133. 

Anthracite,  62,  152. 

Apatite,  120. 

Architecture,  materials  for,  89. 

Arragonite,  121. 

Arsenic,  55. 

Automalite,  136. 

B. 

Beryl,  137. 
Bismuth,  55. 
Bismuthine,  55,  151. 
Bitumen,  61,  152. 
Blende,  54,  151. 
Bog  iron-ore,  28. 
Boltonite,  136. 
Boracic  acid,  71. 
Bricks,  73. 
Bucholzite,  141. 
Buhr-stone,  68. 
Building  stone,  kinds  of,  90. 

C. 

Cadmia,  54. 
Calamine,  54,  123. 
Calcareous  Spar,  121. 
Carnelian,65. 
Chabasie,  130. 
Chalybeate-waters,  110. 
China-stone  quarry,  75. 
Chlorite,  69. 
Chrome- ore,  146. 
Chrysoberyl,  64, 133. 
Chrysocolla,  119. 
Coal,  60. 
Cobalt- mine,  56 
Columbite,  59, 148. 
Columbium,  59. 
Copper,  workable  ores  of,  40. 
Copper-mines,  42. 
Copper-nickel,  57, 149. 
Crichtonite,  146. 
Cube-ore,  119. 


D. 


Datholite,  72,  129. 

Decolorizing  carbonaceous  slate,  88. 

Decoration,  materials  for,  101. 

Diallogite,  122. 

Dolomite,  96,  122. 

E. 

Edwardsite,  123. 
Electric  calamine,  55. 
Emery,  66. 
Epidote,  134. 
Eremite,  144. 

F. 

Feldspar,  75,  131. 

Fire-stones,  77. 

Flagging,  materials  for,  113. 

Fluor,  119. 

Fluor,  use  of  as  a  flux,  80. 

French  chalk,  71. 

G. 

Galena,  51,  151. 
Garnet,  142. 
Garnet-emery,  66. 
Gems,  65. 

Glass,  materials  for,  77. 
Granite,  kinds  of  used  in  architecture,  90. 
Green  malachite,  49,  125. 
Green  uranium-ochre,  148. 
Grinding  materials,  65. 
Grindstones,  67. 
Gypsum,  127. 

H. 

Heavy  spar,  124. 
Hematite,  beds  of,  16. 
Heulandite,  131. 
Hydraulic  lime,  84. 

I. 

[docrase,  142. 
lolite,  64,  138. 
Iron,  13. 

Iron,  magnetic,  38. 
Iron-pyrites,  36,150. 
[ron-pyrites,  magnetic,  38. 
Iron-sand,  15. 
tron,  statistics  of,  27. 


188 


Kyanite,  128. 


K. 


Laumonite,  130. 

Lead-mines,  51. 

Lime,  quick,  81. 

Lime,  quick,  for  manure,  114, 

Limestone,  for  a  flux,  79. 

Limonite,  16, 146. 

Lithic  paints,  87. 

M. 

Magnesian  lime,  quarries  of,  82, 
Magnetic  iron,  13,  145. 
Magnetic  iron-pyrites,  150. 
Marble,  green  and  yellow,  102, 
Marble,  verd  antique,  101. 
Marble,  white,  101. 
Marl,  116. 
Melaconite,  149. 
Mesotype,  130. 
Metals,  13. 
Mica,  127. 
Mill-stones,  68. 
Mineral  springs,  110, 
Mispickel,  55,  149. 
Molybdenite,  151. 
Molybdenum,  58. 

N. 

Native  bismuth,  149. 
Native  copper,  41, 149. 
Native  iron,  149. 
Nickel-green,  119. 
Nickel-mine,  56. 


Opal,  140. 


O. 


P. 


Paints,  stone,  87. 
Paving,  109. 
Picrolite,  128. 
Pitchblende,  59, 148. 
Plumbago,  62,  126. 
Polishing  materials,  65. 
Porcelain  clay,  73. 
Porcelain,  materials  for,  73. 
Potashes,  72. 
Potstone,  68. 
Prehnite,  129. 
Pyrolusite,  148. 
Pyroxene,  134. 


Quartz,  139. 
Quick  lime,  81. 


Q 


Rutile,  58,  66,  145. 


S. 


Salts,  materials  for,  71. 
Sand,  77. 

Sandstone^  quarries  of,  97. 
Scapolite,  133. 
Serpentine,  127. 
Sillimanite,  141. 
Smaltine,  57,  159. 
Soapslone,  69. 
Spathic  iron,  30,  122, 
Specular  iron,  146. 
Sphene, 144. 
Spodumene,  129. 
S^aurotide,  144. 
Steel  ore,  30. 
Stilbite,  130. 
Stone-paints,  87. 

T. 

Tabular  spar,  136. 
Talc,  126. 
Tiling,  109. 
Titanium,  58. 
Topaz,  64. 
Topaz-emery,  66. 
Tourmaline,  141. 
Triplite,  123. 
Tungsten,  123. 
Tungstic  ochre,  148. 
Tungsten,  ores  of,  59. 

U. 

Uranite,  125. 
Uranium,  158. 
Uranium,  protoxide  of,  59. 

V. 

Variegated  copper,  46,  151. 
Verd  antique,  101. 
Vitreous  copper,  41,  151. 
Vivianite,  125. 

W. 

Water-cement,  81. 
Whetstones,  68. 
White  copperas,  118. 
White  iron-pyrites,  150. 
White  lead-ore,  125. 
Wolfram,  147. 

Y. 

Yellow  copper-pyrites,  48,  150. 
Yellow  uranium-ochre,  145. 
Yttro-tantalite,  145. 


Red  copper-ore,  145. 


Zinc, 54. 
Zircon,  144. 


Z. 


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